'Hubble’s biggest shock': A rare 9-ring galaxy changes what we know about collisions

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh Credit: NASA

Hubble Captures

[{"selector":"#anim-9560abd0-3068-4d5a-9d22-b3f4776fc1ac [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-10.733227653958076%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The Hubble Space Telescope imaged a stunning galaxy struck by a violent cosmic collision.

Bullseye Forms

[{"selector":"#anim-3d6d2bf5-ab06-400a-a8de-66eaec17b266 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(24.00674241094373%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A dwarf galaxy blasted through LEDA 1313424 , now called the Bullseye Galaxy, leaving nine rings.

Dwarf Strikes

[{"selector":"#anim-261dd7f5-1377-4042-a87f-798d00cdbd42 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-17.62207451100275%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Hubble and Keck data confirm a blue dwarf galaxy punched through, triggering shockwave rings.

Gas Connects

[{"selector":"#anim-8e9f5061-d41f-4787-acdb-79b90ba2a01c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-18.02196275605755%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Keck’s Cosmic Web Imager revealed a gas tendril still linking the colliding galaxies in space. Credit: W.M. Keck Observatory

Rings Ripple

The impact created shockwaves that spread outward, compressing dust and triggering starbursts. Representative pi

Hubble Confirms

[{"selector":"#anim-ee44d6f7-1266-498a-86d0-012d8a65bde2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-5.6377076790553335%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Using Hubble’s visible-light images, astronomers identified the smaller galaxy near Bullseye.

Stars Ignite

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Models Tested

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More Await

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