(See description below)
Antennae Galaxies
animation of
collision
The animation sequence begins by depicting the collision of two large galaxies which now form The Antennae. Gas and stars from the galaxies are ejected into long arcs. The animation then shows how collisions between huge gas clouds in the central region of the merging system trigger a stellar baby boom. Next, as seen in a closer view, the most massive of these stars race through their evolution in a few million years. These stars end their lives as they explode as supernovas that further heat the clouds and enrich them with heavy elements. In conclusion, the animation dissolves into Chandra’s X-ray image of The Antennae galaxies.
Run time = 39 sec
Credit:
Simulation: NASA/STScI/G. Bacon
Animation: NASA/CXC/A. Hobart
X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/G. Fabbiano et al.