More
ZW II 96
April 24, 2008 · ESA/Hubble · IRAS 20550+1656 , LEDA 65779 , ZW II 96 · Delphinus
Zoom to full resolution See where it is in the 3D sky Original on ESA/Hubble ↗
This is a system of merging galaxies with a bizarre shape. Powerful young starburst regions hang as long threadlike structures between the main galaxy cores. The system almost qualifies as an ultraluminous system, but has not yet reached the late stage of coalescence that is the norm for most ultraluminous systems. Zw II 96 is located in the constellation of Delphinus, the Dolphin, about 500 million light-years away from Earth.
This image is part of a large collection of 59 images of merging galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and released on the occasion of its 18th anniversary on 24th April 2008.
