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NASA Photographs Big Galactic Collision

By Ker Than,
Posted: 2007-08-07 05:38:23
Filed Under: Science News
Space.com


(Aug. 7) - A major cosmic pileup involving four large galaxies could give rise to one of the largest galaxies the universe has ever known, scientists say.

Each of the four galaxies is at least the size of the Milky Way, and each is home to billions of stars.

The galaxies will eventually merge into a single, colossal galaxy up to 10 times as massive as our own Milky Way.

"When this merger is complete, this will be one of the biggest galaxies in the universe," said study team member Kenneth Rines of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

The finding, to be detailed in an upcoming issue of Astrophysical Journal Letters, gives scientists their first real glimpse into a galaxy merger involving multiple big galaxies.

"Most of the galaxy mergers we already knew about are like compact cars crashing together," Rines said. "What we have here is like four sand trucks smashing together, flinging sand everywhere."

Galaxy collisions are a common occurrence in the universe. Our own Milky Way is fated to collide and merge with its neighbor, Andromeda, in about 5 billion years.

Astronomers have observed several clashes involving one big galaxy and several larger ones, and they have also witnessed more major mergers among pairs of big galaxies. But the new findings mark the first time major mergers between multiple hefty galaxies have ever been seen.

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope serendipitously spotted the quadruple merger during a routine survey of a distant galaxy cluster, called CL0958+4702, located nearly 5 billion light years away. Spitzer's infrared eyes observed an unusually large fan-shaped plume of light emerging from a gathering of four blob-shaped elliptical galaxies. Three of the galaxies are about the size of the Milky Way, while the fourth is three times as large.

The plume turned out to be billions of elderly stars ejected and abandoned during the clash. About half of the stars in the plume will later fall back into the galaxies.

Spitzer observations also show that, unlike most known mergers, the galaxies involved in the quadruple collision are bereft of gas, the source material that fuels star birth. As a result, astronomers predict that relatively few new stars will be born in the new, combined galaxy.

(c) 1999-2007 Imaginova Corp. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

2007-08-06 17:24:14
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Recent Comments

1 - 10 of 1939
1939 comments

rwnamvet68 05:02:00 AM Aug 11 2007

cowboyme35 08:59:23 PM Aug 10 2007

The building of the Mind is the building of the Spirit. Even the most educated men in the world still have much too learn. Gain as much knowledge as you can, and remember, knowledge is only as good as it is applied.

Good night to you, and all thank you.

rwnamvet68 04:54:00 AM Aug 11 2007

cowboyme35 08:59:23 PM Aug 10 2007

"Signs in the Sun Moon and Stars...
.."Ever learning, but NEVER coming to the knowledge of the truth."

The "Knowledge of the Truth" is the Spirit within you. Knowledge of Learning brings you closer to the Truth of the Spirit within you, as well as all of us.
Jesus spoke, men listened, but did not hear.

The ball is in your court now.

rwnamvet68 04:43:00 AM Aug 11 2007

however, when it comes to binary, trinary, etc. systems, when the convergence is final, there will be a massive change in nearly all the planets

Oh yes, and thank you. You may have backed up my new theory of the actual formation of the first phase of our solar system, based on what we know about the Brown Dwarf and how it got its 3600 year orbit. Our system has gone through some major changes in the last 4 billion years too get to where we are today. I think the passing of this star, how many times?, has had a major role in, ....well, need I go on? Look at it in your head and see what I mean.

rwnamvet68 04:30:00 AM Aug 11 2007

kitmaster991 08:39:50 AM Aug 10 2007,
It is still all just theory. Gravity always wins and I do believe that absolute zero is achieved in the core, as is the oposite in an expelling White, or smouldering Red. I never take offence of constructive observences. I wish I had the time too continue that avenue, but, life goes on. Degrees of education are just pappers that say you got so far, so far! and are beside the point. Knowledge is only as it is applied. I respect your comments and views.

To us, Planet X is real. It's on its way and I wish it wasn't.

cowboyme35 08:59:23 PM Aug 10 2007

.."signs in the sun moon and Stars...
.."ever learning, but NEVER coming to the knowledge of the truth."

kitmaster991 08:39:50 AM Aug 10 2007

rwnamvet68,

actually that is zero degrees KELVIN, aka absolute zero, also when it comes to theorizing black holes, there is also some speculation about red and white holes. Believe me if you wish or not, but while you are flaunting around your degrees, (no offence intended), I would believe that a PHD in Astropsyics would lend itself well twards this discussion.

However you are correct about the Celcius, for it is theroized that when matter is pulled appart when it is forcibly approaching the speed of light that either:

a) it becomes massivly hotter due to internal molecular vibration

or

b) it approaches absolute zero, due to the suspected fact that the force of the black hole is strong enough to possibly stop the electrons alltogether, thus reaching absolute zero.

now the matter of red and white holes is much to long to discuss now, however, when it comes to binary, trinary, etc. systems, when the convergence is final, there will be a massive change in nearly all the planets

rwnamvet68 08:34:00 PM Aug 09 2007

My lord, these threads sure do die quickly, or is this an A.D.D. society?

rwnamvet68 02:33:00 PM Aug 08 2007

Stimpysaiyan,
In answer to your post yesterday. Infrared radiation is in photons in the infrafrequency range. Yes would affect nightvision technologies but little else.

This Brown Dwarf used to be the companion to our sun when it was a binary system some 5 billion plus years ago until it was blasted into its present orbit 4.5 billion years ago and the influence of our suns gravity field is maintaining its orbit. Why you would state that a body could not sustain such an orbit is beyond me if you are so educitated in Astropsyics. But what you say about binary star systems holding a life-sustaining planets, i agree.

rwnamvet68 12:53:00 PM Aug 08 2007

Just for the record; this particular loonie has a PHD in Fine Arts, BS -Astrophysics, AA-Theology (all religions) and well read in Meterology, Geology, Oceanography, History, Socialology, and Psycology to name a fiew.

Black holes can only be theorized due to the insuficient data that we have on them at this time. The streem of Neutrons form the poles, the effects on sarounding bodies, the idea of 0 degrees Celcius in its core are all just educated guesses.

Got too go to work now. Everyone have a nice day. Will be back later.

deepbluepisces 12:00:25 PM Aug 08 2007

When black hole's in the center of those galaxies pull everything into them selves, do they push or pull it all back out geysers or jets on the polar ends what happens to all that material caught in that area? What happens when two galaxies are facing each other by it's polar sides what is the material doing to the other galaxy in this case four galaxies?

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