Astronomy:IRAS 06076-2139

From HandWiki
Short description: Pair of interacting galaxies
IRAS 06076-2139
Close encounter IRAS 06076-2139.jpg
A picture of the two interacting galaxies taken by NASA by using the Hubble Space Telescope
Observation data
ConstellationLepus
Distance500 million light years
Characteristics
TypeInteracting galaxies

IRAS 06076-2139 is a pair of unusual interacting galaxies located in the constellation of Lepus about 500 million light years[1] from earth making it a local universe type galaxy. The two galaxies are fairly close to each other at just 200,000 light years.[2] These two galaxies are interacting and rushing by each other at a speed of 2 million kilometers (1,243,000 miles) per hour. Due to their speed, they are unlikely to merge with each other.[3]

Reference