Galaxies Colliding: A Rare Phenomenon in Space

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    Collision Galaxies
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the phenomenon of galaxy collisions, exploring whether such events have been observed, the implications of dark matter during these collisions, and the energy emissions associated with them. The scope includes observational evidence, theoretical implications, and speculative reasoning about the nature of these cosmic events.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that there are several documented examples of colliding galaxies, citing the Antennae Galaxies as a specific case.
  • There is a repeated inquiry about whether galaxies have been observed colliding, suggesting a need for clarity on observational evidence.
  • Some participants express interest in the role of dark matter during galaxy collisions, with references to the Bullet Cluster as a point of interest.
  • Questions are raised regarding the energy emitted during galaxy collisions, with one participant suggesting that while merging dust clouds generate heat, it is unlikely to be comparable to a supernova.
  • Another participant notes that despite galaxies appearing solid, they are mostly empty space, which significantly reduces the likelihood of direct stellar collisions during such events.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of certainty regarding the observational evidence of galaxy collisions and the associated phenomena, with no consensus reached on the specifics of energy emissions or the role of dark matter.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on the definitions of "collision" and "energy emissions," and there are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of dark matter and its interactions during galaxy mergers.

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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