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                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2024 July 30
       Two large interacting galaxies are shown. The upper galaxy, has
     significant internal structure and is curved over the lower galaxy
      which is a featureless oval. Please see the explanation for more
                            detailed information.

                   Arp 142: Interacting Galaxies from Webb
     Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Hubble Rollover Reprocessing &
                         Copyright: Raul Villaverde

   Explanation: To some, it looks like a penguin. But to people who study
   the universe, it is an interesting example of two big galaxies
   interacting. Just a few hundred million years ago, the upper NGC 2936
   was likely a normal spiral galaxy: spinning, creating stars, and
   minding its own business. Then it got too close to the massive
   elliptical galaxy NGC 2937, below, and took a dive. Together known as
   Arp 142, they are featured in this new Webb infrared image, while a
   visible light Hubble image appears in comparison. NGC 2936 is not only
   being deflected, but distorted, by this close gravitational
   interaction. When massive galaxies pass near each other, gas is
   typically condensed from which new stars form. A young group of stars
   appears as the nose of the penguin toward the right of the upper
   galaxy, while in the center of the spiral, bright stars together appear
   as an eye. Before a billion years, the two galaxies will likely merge
   into one larger galaxy.

                Explore Your Universe: Random APOD Generator
                  Tomorrow's picture: unusual spots on Mars
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