Overview
- NASA released the composite on December 1, 2025, combining mid-infrared data from JWST with X-ray observations from Chandra.
- IC 2163 and NGC 2207 sit about 120 million light-years away, with the larger galaxy gradually distorting and stripping its smaller partner.
- Mid-infrared emission appears in white, gray, and red to trace warm dust and star-forming regions, while X-ray emission in blue marks high-energy activity and hot gas.
- The galaxies likely grazed each other millions of years ago and are projected to merge into a single system over billions of years.
- Credits list X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/Webb, with image processing by NASA/CXC/SAO/L. Frattare.