These Two Galaxies Are Very Far Away, 12 Million Light-years Distant Toward The Northern Constellation

These two galaxies are very far away, 12 million light-years distant toward the northern constellation of the Great Bear. On the left, with grand spiral arms and bright yellow core is M81. It’s a spiral galaxy measuring in at about 100,000 light-years across. On the right marked by red gas and dust clouds, is M82, an irregular galaxy.

The pair have been locked in gravitational combat for a billion years. During each close encounter, gravity from each galaxy has insanely affected the other. Their last go-round lasted about 100 million years and likely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of it’s spiral arms. M82 was left with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic the galaxy actually glows in X-rays.

In the next few billion years, their continuing gravitational encounters will finally result in a merger, and only a single galaxy will remain. 

Image Credit & Copyright: Dietmar Hager, Torsten Grossmann

P.S. I hope everyone is staying safe in quarantine 💛