images

The Whirlpool Galaxy seen in X-ray

by

Nasa/CXC/Sao/Novapix

Reference

a-gax51-94010

Date

2006-10-10

The Whirlpool Galaxy lies approximately 31 million light years from earth. This spectacular galaxy is paired with a smaller, more distant companion whose matter is being disrupted by the larger spiral in a gravitational tug of war. Eventually, the shape of both will be altered over many more millions of years. Image taken in X-ray by the Chandra space telescope on june 20 2000.