Interacting Galaxies

When galaxies collide, they take on fantastic distorted shapes. Often this can result in unusual bursts of star formation. Infrared light can help astronomers study how gas and dust are affected by the interactions, and help them locate the starbursts.

The Whirlpool Galaxy is a spiral interacting with a small companion

The Whirlpool Galaxy is a spiral interacting with a small companion
- Visible
- Infrared
The merging galaxies are furiously forming stars inside a dark cocoon of dust

The merging galaxies are furiously forming stars inside a dark cocoon of dust
- Visible
- Visible+Infrared
These two galaxies have been merging for 800 million years

These two galaxies have been merging for 800 million years

These two galaxies have been merging for 800 million years

Whirlpool Galaxy M51

This curious galaxy shows unusually regular spiral arms even though it is clearly interacting with a smaller companion to the right.

Infrared light reveals the intriguing dust lanes in the Whirlpool (glowing red in this image) which exhibit unusual spoke-like patterns between the arms. These spokes may be caused by the gravitational interaction with its dust-free companion galaxy.