NASA Hubble Space Telescope spots a rare ‘bullseye’ galaxy collision with nine rings

Hubble Spots Rare ‘Bullseye’ Galaxy With Nine Rings (Image: AI generated)

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has revealed a galaxy resembling a bullseye, with multiple rings expanding from its centre. This rare sight offers insights into galactic collisions and star formation in deep space.

Researchers identified the galaxy, named LEDA 1313424, around 50 million years after a smaller blue dwarf galaxy passed through its centre. This impact left behind nine distinct rings, a record number in such interactions. The rings, filled with newly formed stars, spread out like ripples in a pond.

LEDA 1313424, known as the Bullseye, is 2.5 times larger than the Milky Way and has nine rings—six more than any other known galaxy. (Image: NASA)

Lead researcher Imad Pasha, a Yale University doctoral student, first noticed the rings in a ground-based survey. Hubble’s detailed images later confirmed the structure. Previous studies had detected at most three rings in similar collisions, making this observation unique. Scientists suggest a tenth ring might exist beyond the detected ones.

Astronomers believe the rings expand outward over time, aligning with computational models. The upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could reveal more galaxies like this, further enhancing understanding of cosmic collisions.