NGC 4038/4039 Antennae Galaxy formed by Colliding Galaxy

The sequence begins by depicting the collision of two large galaxies which now form The Antennae. Gas and stars from the galaxies are ejected into long arcs. The animation then shows how collisions between huge gas clouds in the central region of the merging system trigger a stellar baby boom. Next, as seen in a closer view, the most massive of these stars race through their evolution in a few million years. These stars end their lives as they explode as supernovas that further heat the clouds and enrich them with heavy elements. In conclusion, the animation dissolves into Chandra's X-ray image of The Antennae galaxies.
Credit:
Simulation: NASA/STScI/G. Bacon
Animation: NASA/CXC/A.Hobart
X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/G. Fabbiano et al.

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