Merge?

• by Justarandomguyfromireland

  I dont know much about astronomy i just found this site... and got asked about this picture, what kind of galaxy is this and why are there two so close together? Also what is that line of light to the right? is it just a reflection ?

  Posted June 4, 2013 9:01 PM

• by ElisabethB moderator

  The central object is indeed a galaxy. I'd go for a fuzzy two-armed spiral.

  The bright object at 4 is a foreground star from our galaxy. The spikes, colors and weird center are all optical artifacts.

  Posted June 4, 2013 9:08 PM