The Hubble space telescope photographed a group of two galaxies – photo

The Hubble Space Telescope captured the Arp 72 galaxy group, which includes only two interacting galaxies.

Photo published on the website of the European Space Agency.

The image shows the large spiral galaxy NGC 5996 and its smaller companion NGC 5994, which is located in the lower left corner.

According to the agency, NGC 5996 is approximately the same size as the Milky Way galaxy.

Astronomers note that the interaction of the galaxy with the satellite may be the cause of the distortion of the spiral shape of NGC 5996 and pulling it in the direction of NGC 5994.

This connection has already led to the formation of a long and liquid “tail” of stars and gas in the spiral galaxy, which is a common phenomenon when two galaxies approach, scientists say.

The “tail” of the spiral galaxy is visible in the upper right corner of the telescope image.

It is noted that satellite galaxies are galaxies that revolve around another galaxy.

The cores of the spiral galaxy and the satellite are about 67,000 light-years apart, and the distance between the galaxies at their closest points is less than 40,000 light-years, experts say.

Both galaxies are located at a distance of approximately 160 million light years from our planet.

By comparison, the distance between the Milky Way and its nearest independent galactic neighbor, Andromeda, is about 2.5 million light years.

We used to reportedthat the Hubble Space Telescope photographed a dwarf galaxy.