Galaxies Colliding: A Rare Phenomenon in Space

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    Collision Galaxies
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of galaxy collisions, specifically highlighting the Antennae Galaxies (NGC 4038 and NGC 4039), located approximately 70 million light-years away in the constellation Corvus. Participants noted that while galaxies do collide, the vast distances between stars within them mean that direct stellar collisions are exceedingly rare. The merging process generates significant heat from dust clouds, but it does not produce energy levels comparable to a supernova. The discussion also references the Bullet Cluster to explore the effects of dark matter during such collisions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of galaxy structures and classifications
  • Familiarity with astronomical distances and light-years
  • Knowledge of dark matter and its role in cosmic phenomena
  • Basic concepts of energy generation in astrophysical events
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Antennae Galaxies and their collision dynamics
  • Study the Bullet Cluster and its implications for dark matter
  • Explore the physics of energy generation in galaxy mergers
  • Investigate the role of dust clouds in galactic interactions
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysics students, and anyone interested in cosmic events and the dynamics of galaxy collisions.

Sobhan
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have we ever seen galaxies collide?
 
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there are several examples of colliding galaxies

here's one of many examples ...
The Antennae Galaxies (also known as NGC 4038 and 4039) are a pair of distorted colliding spiral galaxies about 70 million light-years away, in the constellation of Corvus

antennae_coverta_1824sm.jpg
 
I'd be interested to know what the dark matter around the galaxies do when do of them come together.
 
newjerseyrunner said:
I'd be interested to know what the dark matter around the galaxies do when do of them come together.
Google "bullet cluster"
 
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does the collision emit lots of energy like a supernova
 
Sobhan said:
does the collision emit lots of energy like a supernova
There is a lot of heat generated by merging dust clouds. Suns and planets barely notice each other. I'd guess nothing anywere close to a supernova.
 
Although galaxies look like solid objects they are largely empty space and the distances between star systems and other massive objects is huge.
The chances of two very massive stars colliding is really low, but not impossible, if it happened a one-off supernova might result.
The chances of multiple stellar collisions happening continually whilst the galaxies merge is so low that it might as well be zero.
 

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