Hubble Captures Image of Interacting Galaxy Pair Arp 271
The gravitational interaction between NGC 5427 and its companion NGC 5426, visible in the galactic distortion and cosmic bridge of stars, provides insights into future galactic interactions.
- NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of the galaxy NGC 5427, part of the interacting galaxy pair known as Arp 271.
- The companion galaxy, NGC 5426, is located below NGC 5427 and outside the image's frame, but its gravitational interaction with NGC 5427 is visible in the galactic distortion and cosmic bridge of stars.
- Discovered in 1785 by British astronomer William Herschel, the pair's interaction, which has already led to the formation of many new stars, is expected to last for tens of millions of years.
- The outcome of whether NGC 5426 and NGC 5427 will ultimately collide and merge remains uncertain.
- Scientists view Arp 271 as a potential blueprint for understanding future interactions between our Milky Way Galaxy and its neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy, expected to occur in about 4 billion years.
Tech Explorist 
NASA 
