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> Interacting galaxies ZW II 96

Interacting galaxies ZW II 96

author: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/Novapix

reference: a-gax95-00371

Image Size 300 DPI: 15 * 15 cm

A brilliant burst of star formation is revealed in this infrared image from NASA's Spitzer space telescope. This is a system of merging galaxies with a bizarre shape. Powerful young starburst regions hang as long threadlike structures between the main galaxy cores. The system almost qualifies as an ultra-luminous system, but has not yet reached the late stage of coalescence that is the norm for most ultra-luminous systems. ZW II 96 is located in the constellation of Delphinus, the Dolphin, about 500 million light-years away from Earth.

Keywords for this photo:

2010 - ASTRONOMY - COLLISION - DELPHINUS - GALAXY - INFRARED - INTERACTING - SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPE - SST - STAR - STAR FORMATION - YOUNG STAR - ZW II 96 -