Interacting Galaxies 2MASX J09133888-1019196 in Hydra | Hubble

Interacting Galaxies 2MASX J09133888-1019196 in Hydra | Hubble

2MASX J09133888-1019196 comprises two interacting galaxies that are disturbed by gravitational interaction. The wide separation of the pair approximately 130,000 light-years—suggests that the galaxies are just beginning to merge. Together the two galaxies form an ultra-luminous infrared system. It is unusual for the early stages of an interaction. One possible explanation is that the one or both of the components have already experienced a merger or interaction. Giant black holes lurk at the cores of both galaxies found in the constellation of Hydra, the Sea Serpent, about 700 million light-years away from Earth.

This image is part of a large collection of 59 images of merging galaxies taken by the NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope.

Image Credit: NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration, and A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University)
Release Date: April 24, 2008

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