Cartwheel Galaxy

The Cartwheel Galaxy is a truly spectacular sight, a prime example of how galactic interactions can dramatically reshape a galaxy's structure.  

• Ring Galaxy: It's classified as a ring galaxy, a relatively rare type formed by a high-speed collision with a smaller galaxy.  

• Appearance: Imagine a wagon wheel – that's where the name comes from. A bright inner ring of young, blue stars surrounds a smaller inner ring, giving it a distinctive appearance.

• Ongoing Evolution: The Cartwheel Galaxy is still evolving from this collision. The outer ring is expanding outward, while a new inner ring is forming.  

• Star Formation: The collision has triggered intense star formation, creating numerous bright blue stars and star clusters.