ARP 271
A stunning pair of galaxies classified in the catalog of peculiar galaxies, NGC 5426 and NGC 5427 are two spiral galaxies of similar sizes engaged in major interaction. It is not certain whether this interaction will end in a collision and ultimately a merging of the two galaxies, although the galaxies have clearly already been affected. Known as Arp 271 collectively , interaction will continue for tens of millions of years, creating new stars as a result of the mutual gravitational attraction between the galaxies, a pull evidenced in the bridge of stars already connecting the two. Located 90 million light-years away towards the constellation of Virgo the Arp 271 pair is about 130,000 light-years across.
Imaged in LRGB on our CDK 1000 at El Sauce, Obstech, Chile
Image Processing: Mike Selby. Integration Time 32 hours