NASA reveals Penguin-shaped galaxies captured in a slow cosmic collision

NASA's Hubble and Webb telescopes captured images of Penguin and Egg galaxies. (Image: NASA-ESA/STScI/AURA/JPL-Caltech/CSA)

NASA has revealed new images of a rare galactic interaction. The galaxy pair is officially known as Arp 142. Astronomers nickname it the "Penguin and the Egg". The system is being observed during an active gravitational encounter.

Images come from Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope observations. These views offer two scientific perspectives of the same cosmic event.

Hubble captures visible light from stars and glowing gas, whereas Webb detects infrared light from dust and hidden structures. Together, the images reveal complementary physical processes. This comparison improves understanding of galactic evolution mechanisms. Different wavelengths expose different stages of stellar activity.

The penguin is a spiral galaxy undergoing strong tidal disruption. Its shape is stretched by its neighbouring galaxy’s gravity. Bright filaments reveal regions of active star formation. Gas streams and dust lanes trace gravitational stress. These features make the distortion clearly visible to astronomers.

The penguin is a spiral galaxy undergoing strong tidal disruption. (Image: NASA//STScI/AURA)

The egg galaxy appears smooth and nearly featureless. It contains mostly older, evenly distributed stars. This stellar uniformity masks gravitational deformation effects. Infrared imaging suggests subtle interaction beneath the surface. Its calm appearance contrasts sharply with its turbulent partner.

Over time, gravity will draw the galaxies closer together. They will ultimately collide and form a single galaxy. Such mergers are common throughout cosmic history. Most large galaxies formed through repeated galactic mergers. The Milky Way likely experienced similar ancient collisions.

Arp 142 provides a nearby laboratory for studying galaxy evolution. It shows how gravity reshapes stars, gas and dust. Multi-telescope observations deepen scientific understanding of cosmic growth. Future studies will track changes as the merger progresses. The penguin and egg reveal how galaxies become one.