NGC 3314: When Galaxies Overlap

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November 17 of 2021.
The Hubble image shows two spiral galaxies in the same system.
Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

When Galaxies Overlap.
The processing and Copyright of the image is owned by William Ostling.

Why doesn't the background galaxy have a lensing effect? The shift is much smaller than the sizes of the galaxies themselves because they are so close. The Hubble image shows two large spiral galaxies. The pinwheel shape of the foreground spiral is defined by bright star clusters. There are dark lanes of dust that can be seen against the glow of the background galaxy. The Hydra Cluster of Galaxies is 200 million light years away. When the lensing galaxy is smaller and further away, it's easier to see the distortions. The ring around the nearer may be distorted into a background galaxy. One day, high-resolution telescopes will be able to see stars in the foreground and background of the universe.

The picture is of open space.

Robert Nemiroff is an author and Jerry Bonnell is an editor.
Phillip Newman has specific rights.
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& Michigan Tech. U.