Distant galaxies get busy under Hubble's watchful eye
The Hubble Space Telescope doesn't just take pretty pictures; it also helps researchers better understand what they're seeing in the far reaches of space.
Take this newly shared image of UGC 2369, a designation that actually applies to two different galaxies that are slowly, inexorably merging into one. This phenomenon of interacting galaxies comes into play when their gravitational fields overlap and attract.
You can see the connection between the two galaxies making up UGC 2369 in what NASA describes as a "bridge of gas, dust and stars" set between them. It's hard to miss, that curvy, orange-tinged region of space forming what looks at this great distance like a tenuous connection.
It's not actually tenuous, however. These brightly colored celestial bodies, each representing millions of stars, are in the active process of merging into one. The so-called "bridge" that connects them is a physical representation of gravity's tug as it pulls the two galaxies (and everything inside them) closer to one another.
This, NASA points out, is a fairly common occurrence in the big picture, though it typically involves a larger galaxy absorbing a smaller one. Bigger collisions are possible, however, and it turns out that we ourselves are headed toward one even now.
At some point in the future, our Milky Way Galaxy will collide with our biggest neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy. Eventually (probably), the two will merge into one galaxy that already has a baller celebrity power couple nickname: Milkomeda. (I would've preferred Milkdromeda.)
Don't bother setting your clocks or marking your calendars, though. This celestial event isn't expected to happen for another four billion years.
Ain't space grand?
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
