STSCI-NGC6240 (IMAGE)
Caption
These images reveal the final stage of a union between two galactic nuclei in the messy core of the merging galaxy NGC 6240. The image at left shows the entire galaxy. At right is a close-up of the two brilliant cores of this galactic union. This view, taken in infrared light, pierces the dense cloud of dust and gas encasing the two colliding galaxies and uncovers the active cores. The hefty black holes in these cores are growing quickly as they feast on gas kicked up by the galaxy merger.
Credit
NASA, ESA, W. M. Keck Observatory, Pan-STARRS and M. Koss (Eureka Scientific, Inc.)
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