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Credit & Copyright: Rafael Sampaio
Explanation:
Each of these pairs of galaxies is different.
The two
galaxies at the top are likely
not interacting, at least presently.
However, the top galaxy with the blue stripe,
NGC 4650A, is a
polar ring galaxy and may be the result of a past
galaxy collision.
The two galaxies in the middle of the
featured image appear like they could be
interacting gravitationally -- but their
relative speeds make this unlikely.
Of these two, the larger galaxy,
NGC 4650, is a
spiral galaxy with a
bright bar of stars across its center.
The two galaxies at the bottom are
actively interacting.
Possibly in a billion years or so, NGC 4622A and NGC 4622B will
merge and become one single galaxy.
All of these galaxies are likely members of the larger
Centaurus Galaxy Cluster.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: galaxies - interacting galaxies
Publications with words: galaxies - interacting galaxies
See also:
- APOD: 2026 July 12 Á Galaxy NGC 474: Shells and Star Streams
- APOD: 2026 June 29 Á M82: Galaxy with a Supergalactic Wind
- APOD: 2026 May 18 Á Unraveling NGC 3169
- APOD: 2026 May 1 Á Markarian s Chain
- APOD: 2026 April 17 Á M82: Starburst Galaxy with a Superwind
- APOD: 2026 January 26 Á NGC 55: A Galaxy of Nebulas
- Galaxies in the River