Hubble image shows NGC 772 with one arm pulled out of shape by a satellite galaxy
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured spiral galaxy NGC 772, its familiar mix of bright star-forming regions and dark dust lanes interrupted by something unusual: one spiral arm has been stretched and thrown out of symmetry by a satellite galaxy, NGC 770, which does not appear in the image. Like the Milky Way, NGC 772 has a few small satellite galaxies in close gravitational orbit around it. Unlike the Milky Way, NGC 772 has no central bar of gas and stars. NGC 772 is also classed as a peculiar spiral, meaning it is odd in size, shape or composition.
The image gives a concrete look at how a satellite galaxy can physically deform its parent, pulling an entire spiral arm out of shape across deep space.
Source: Hubble Spots a Curious Spiral - NASA Science (nasa.gov). Spotted via NASA News Releases.
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