Apod 4.5 The Antennae

This image parallels with our study of galaxy interactions. This image shows two galaxies colliding in the constellation Corvus, some 60 million light years away. Their collision has triggered rapid star formation near the center of the collision. One of the most interesting features of the image is the presence of two tails extending from opposite sides of the collision. They were created by matter being flung from the scene of the collision by gravitational tidal forces. These two streaks give the constellation its name, The Antennae.