images

Interacting galaxies ZW II 96

by

Nasa/JPL-Caltech/Novapix

Reference

a-gax95-00371

Date

2011-03-16

A brilliant burst of star formation is revealed in this infrared image from NASA's Spitzer space telescope. This is a system of merging galaxies with a bizarre shape. Powerful young starburst regions hang as long threadlike structures between the main galaxy cores. The system almost qualifies as an ultra-luminous system, but has not yet reached the late stage of coalescence that is the norm for most ultra-luminous systems. ZW II 96 is located in the constellation of Delphinus, the Dolphin, about 500 million light-years away from Earth.