The Antennae Galaxies, also known as NGC 4038/NGC 4039, are a pair of interacting galaxies in the constellation Corvus. They are currently going through a starburst phase, in which the collision of clouds of gas and dust, with entangled magnetic fields, causes rapid star formation.
The Antennae Galaxies are undergoing a galactic collision, these two galaxies are known as the Antennae Galaxies because the two long tails of stars, gas and dust ejected from the galaxies as a result of the collision resemble an insect's antennae. The nuclei of the two galaxies are joining to become one giant galaxy. Most galaxies probably undergo at least one significant collision in their lifetimes. This is likely the future of our Milky Way when it collides with the Andromeda Galaxy in a few billion years.
Located only 45 million light-years away.
Image was taken near a bright moon so some signal noise was introduced.
GSO RC 6
ZWO ASI 071 Pro
HEQ5 belt mod
10min x 20 = 3.3 hr
