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The Antennae Galaxies (also Ringtail Galaxy, Caldwell 60, or just Antennae) are a pair of galaxies (NGC 4038 + NGC 4039) undergoing a violent collision some 90 million ly. away in the constellation Corvus. The galaxies are known as the "Antennae Galaxies" because the two long tails of stars, gas, and dust thrown out of the galaxies as a result of the collision resemble the antenna of an insect. The nuclei of the two galaxies are joining to become one supergalaxy. Most galaxies probably undergo at least one significant collision in their lifetimes. This is likely the future of our Milky Way when it collides with Andromeda.
Time line
- 1.2 billion years ago: The Antennae Galaxies were two separate spiral galaxies.
- 900 million years ago: The two galaxies began to smash into each other.
- 600 million years ago: The galaxies became distorted as they extended around each other.
- 300 million years ago: The galaxies stars began starting to be flung out of both galaxies.
- Today: Two streamers of ejected stars extend far beyond the original galaxies.
External links
- Astronomy Picture of the Day, October 22, 1997: The Antennae Galaxies
- Galactic prang fingered in star formation mystery(The Register)
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