时间：2025-04-26 13:00:40 来源：网络整理编辑：熱點
A powerful space telescope orbiting Earth has spied on two galaxies in the midst of a cosmic close c
A powerful space telescope orbiting Earth has spied on two galaxies in the midst of a cosmic close call 500 million light-years away.
The Hubble Space Telescope spotted two galaxies -- collectively called IRAS 06076-2139 -- speeding past one another at about 1.2 million miles per hour, according to NASA.
SEE ALSO:Countless galaxies billions of light-years away shine in new Hubble photoThe two galaxies are moving so fast that they likely won't merge, but the two objects are so huge that they will distort each other as they pass about 20,000 light-years from one another.
The immense gravity of the two objects will be able to influence the structure of the galaxies as they pass, changing the positions of stars and gas within them.
A full view of the unusual galaxy IRAS 06076-2139 seen by the Hubble Space Telescope.Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA"Such galactic interactions are a common sight for Hubble, and have long been a field of study for astronomers," NASA said in a statement.
The Milky Way is actually on its way to a galactic collision itself with the Andromeda Galaxy.
At some point in about 4.5 billion years the two galaxies will merge into one. That may sound slightly (or more-than-slightly) terrifying, but in reality, it shouldn't be too much cause for personal concern.
"While galaxies are populated by billions of stars, the distances between individual stars are so large that hardly any stellar collisions will occur," NASA said of the Andromeda/Milky Way merger.
Scientists working with the Hubble just celebrated the space telescope's 27th year in space, and the intrepid eye on the sky is still going strong.
NASA has previously said that the telescope should be able to continue working in orbit through at least 2020, two years after the James Webb Space Telescope -- Hubble's successor -- is expected to get to space.
The U.S. will no longer have the final say on internet domain names2025-04-26 12:51
'World's largest truffle' is worth thousands but looks like a lot of poop2025-04-26 12:43
The world's first international 'Overwatch' champions have been crowned2025-04-26 12:31
First commercial flight from U.S. to Cuba in 50 years takes off2025-04-26 12:31
The U.S. will no longer have the final say on internet domain names2025-04-26 12:15
Ryan Lochte finally releases apology about his bizarre robbery story2025-04-26 11:54
North Carolina police fatally shoot deaf man2025-04-26 11:43
Ryan Lochte finally releases apology about his bizarre robbery story2025-04-26 11:23
Hiddleswift finally followed each other on Instagram after 3 excruciating days2025-04-26 11:18
Drake shows off his basketball skills with half2025-04-26 11:05
Watch MTV's Video Music Awards 2016 livestream2025-04-26 12:58
How beloved actor Gene Wilder became an internet meme2025-04-26 12:56
Bizarre Olympic wrestling match ends with coaches stripping in protest2025-04-26 12:52
The $450,000 GT supercar is so popular, Ford's doubling production2025-04-26 12:44
Visualizing July's astounding global temperature records2025-04-26 11:30
Red Bull's 'Street Fighter V' online tournaments will send the best to Seattle2025-04-26 11:22
These celebrity Snapchats prove the VMAs got a little crazy2025-04-26 11:10
Drunk man doesn't remember buying $40,000 bus2025-04-26 10:37
Hiddleswift finally followed each other on Instagram after 3 excruciating days2025-04-26 10:29
A deep dive into Apple's 'sweetheart deal' with Ireland2025-04-26 10:21
