The VV 689 system , also known as Angel Wing , MCG+03-26-016, IRAS F09588+2002, and LEDA 29031, is located in the constellation Leo. This is where we see two galaxies entwined in an intricate gravitational dance that has generated this beautiful illusion of cosmic angelic wings in the depths of space.
a galactic merger
“Unlike chance alignments of galaxies that only appear to overlap from our vantage point on Earth, the two galaxies in VV 689 are in the midst of a collision,” the Hubble astronomers said. “Galactic interaction has left the VV 689 system almost completely symmetrical , giving the impression of a vast array of galactic wings.”
Galactic mergers occur when galaxies gravitationally attract each other through space-time, performing an orbital dance that brings them closer and closer, until they finally coalesce to form one large galaxy. Precisely the gravitational interactions between the two can create shocks in the surrounding star-forming gas, creating waves of star formation , which propagate through each of the galaxies.
The image of VV689 we see, which comes from a set of Hubble telescope observations, was discovered by the Galaxy Zoo citizen science project, in which hundreds of thousands of volunteers routinely sift through a huge trove of data collected by different telescopes, including the iconic Hubble telescope itself, according to ESA.
“A similar ongoing project called Radio Galaxy Zoo is using the same open collaborative approach to locate supermassive black holes in distant galaxies. In keeping with the collaborative nature of the Galaxy Zoo project, the targets for follow-up observations with Hubble were chosen through approximately 18,000 votes cast by the public”, they clarify.
Do you like the image very much? You can have it as your desktop background
You can download different wallpaper-sized versions of this spectacular snapshot from the Hubble website.
Referencia: NASA / ESA / Hubble / W. Keel / Judy Schmidt
