NGC 2992 - NGC 2993

This roughly processed Second Light Image from SSRO-S PROMPT2 at CTIO shows the interacting galaxies of NGC 2992/2993 in Hydra.  NGC 2992 is centrally located and somewhat elongated, while 2993 is lower left center in the image.   The image displays the tidal arms and a bridge between the galactic nucleii which is formed of ejected stars and gases.  Both of these were spiral galaxies prior to collision.  Such collisions trigger areas of increased and violent star formation, especially seen in the nucleus of 2993 in this image as well as in the tidal arm of NGC 2992.   The ultimate fate of these two galaxies is to become a single ellipitical galaxy.

Processed by Daniel Verschatse