Current:Home > MyNASA video shows 2 galaxies forming 'blood-soaked eyes' figure in space-InfoLens
NASA video shows 2 galaxies forming 'blood-soaked eyes' figure in space
View Date:2024-12-23 14:08:08
Two far-away galaxies have been described as “blood-soaked eyes” by NASA after the Hubble and James Webb Space telescopes captured an intriguing video of the two colliding galaxies.
NASA says the galaxies have been analyzed in order to better understand the physics of the two colliding galaxies and the rapid star formation caused by their collision. They earned the name after NASA said they resemble a macabre vision.
“They appear as if blood is pumping through the top of a flesh-free face. The long, ghastly “stare” of their searing eye-like cores shines out into the supreme cosmic darkness,” NASA said in a press release.
The galaxies, called IC 2163 and NGC 2207, are only a stone's throw away from Earth, just shy of about 80 million light-years away.
Video from NASA gives us a tour of the galaxies, explaining how gravitational pull has begun to twist and extend the galaxy's arms.
Two galaxies with vast size differences
IC 2163 is the smaller of the pair, measuring at about 101,000 light-years in diameter, or about the size of our Milky Way. The other galaxy, NGC 2207, is slightly bigger, measuring at about 143,000 light-years across.
Although the image shows an imminent collision, NASA says they have only grazed each other so far. But, for many millions of years they are going to continue to dance around each other until they eventually form a central “cyclops eye.”
“Over many millions of years, the galaxies may swing by one another repeatedly. It’s possible that their cores and arms will meld, leaving behind completely reshaped arms, and an even brighter, cyclops-like “eye” at the core,” NASA said.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
veryGood! (61)
Related
- Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments
- Chinese auto sales surged 10% year-on-year in October in fastest growth since May, exports up 50%
- Meta failed to address harm to teens, whistleblower testifies as Senators vow action
- A bad economy can be good for your health
- Martin Scorsese on the saints, faith in filmmaking and what his next movie might be
- Governments plan more fossil fuel production despite climate pledges, report says
- Ex-CIA officer accused of sexually abusing dozens of women pleads guilty to federal charges
- It’s Election Day. Here is what you need to know
- At age 44, Rich Hill's baseball odyssey continues - now with Team USA
- Patrick Dempsey Named People's Sexiest Man Alive 2023
Ranking
- The Best Corduroy Pants Deals from J.Crew Outlet, Old Navy, Levi’s & More, Starting at $26
- Hootie & the Blowfish announces 1st tour since 2019: See all the 2024 dates
- Saturn's rings will disappear from view briefly in 2025. Here's why.
- GOP lawmakers renew effort to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib over Israel rhetoric
- Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
- Control of Virginia's state Legislature is on the ballot Tuesday
- Bangladesh raises monthly minimum wage for garment workers to $113 following weeks of protests
- Court panel removes Indonesia’s chief justice for ethical breach that benefited president’s son
Recommendation
-
The charming Russian scene-stealers of 'Anora' are also real-life best friends
-
Lawsuit alleges ‘widespread’ abuse at shuttered youth facility operated by man commuted by Trump
-
Activist hands ICC evidence he says implicates Belarus president in transfer of Ukrainian children
-
Will Ohio State stay at No. 1? Predicting the College Football Playoff ranking release
-
Gavin Rossdale Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti
-
Abrupt stoppage of engine caused fatal South Dakota plane crash, preliminary NTSB report says
-
Jeremy Renner has undergone 'countless hours' of 'every type of therapy' since snowplow accident
-
What stores are open on Thanksgiving and Black Friday 2023?