How Far Away Is It | 15 - Colliding Galaxies

We describe what it means for galaxies to collide given the great distances between stars within each galaxy. We then take a look at some of the interacting galaxies photographed by the Hubble Telescope.

These include: The Antennae Galaxies, The Mice, NGC 2207 with IC 2163; Apr 256; ESO 576-69; APR 142; NGC 6240; the Tadpole Galaxy; UCG 1810 with UCG 1813; the spectacular APR 147; NGC 454; South America Galaxy; and ZW II 28.

We spend some time on peculiar galaxy NGC 7603 with its multiple red-shift objects that challenge well accepted theories on Dark Matter and Cosmology.

Next, we discuss how we go about seeing a process that takes a billion years by observing interactions at various stages along the process as understood by computer simulations.

Here we show a few that illustrate the phases of an interaction: the initial approach with NGC 6786 and LEDA 62867; first contact with VV 304A and VV 304B; penetration with Mayall’s Object; out the other side with ESO 77-14; wrap around with VV 705; and merge with The Owl. 

We end with another simulation.

This time it’s the collision between Andromeda and the Milky Way.