Galaxy Zoo Talk

Blue galaxy with companion

  • martin.hedin by martin.hedin

    Would this be a big blue galaxy, with a smaller companion?

    The bigger galaxy gets structure from the smaller one, and possible arms and starforming blue areas. Somewhat like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool_Galaxy.

    But why is it so blue in the center? It almost looks like a collision of a much older elliptical galaxy, and a younger blue one, or is this just a chance alignment?

    Posted

  • ElisabethB by ElisabethB moderator

    Both galaxies are disturbed, so merger is a possibility.The blue color indicates active star forming activity.

    Posted