NGC 4038

Collision on the grandest scale. These two galaxies are in the process of colliding with each other. At a distance of 65 million light years away we have a good vantage point to view the action. In the nuclei of these galaxies gas and dust mix which dramatically color the light from the star forming regions of the interior. When unobscured the clouds of new stars are blue- but intervening dust and gas redden this light to produce the shades of yellow and brown in center. In addition (you will need to turn off the light in the room to see this) there are two arcs stretching away from the churning center of these galaxies. Each arc is comprised of millions of stars that have been flung into intergalactic space. Other famous interacting galaxies include M51 and NGC 4568.

This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.