Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2026 August 10
    [2]A dark starfield shows three pairs of galaxies. One pair near the
      top, one near the middle, and one near the bottom. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                             Three Galaxy Pairs
                 Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Rafael Sampaio

   Explanation: Each of these pairs of galaxies is different. The two
   [4]galaxies at the top are likely [5]not interacting, at least
   presently. However, the top galaxy with the blue stripe, [6]NGC 4650A,
   is a [7]polar ring galaxy and may be the result of a past [8]galaxy
   collision. The two galaxies in the middle of the [9]featured image
   appear like they could be [10]interacting gravitationally -- but their
   [11]relative speeds make this unlikely. Of these two, the larger
   galaxy, [12]NGC 4650, is a [13]spiral galaxy with a [14]bright bar of
   stars across its center. The two galaxies at the bottom are
   [15]actively interacting. Possibly in a billion years or so, NGC 4622A
   and NGC 4622B will [16]merge and become one single galaxy. All of these
   galaxies are likely members of the larger [17]Centaurus Galaxy Cluster.

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    Authors & editors: [30]Robert Nemiroff ([31]MTU) & [32]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([33]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [34]Specific rights apply.
            [35]NASA Web Privacy, [36]Accessibility, [37]Notices;
                A service of: [38]ASD at [39]NASA / [40]GSFC,
                         [41]NASA Science Activation
                           & [42]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2608/Three3GalaxyPairs_Sampaio_2784.jpg
   3. https://www.instagram.com/rafael.astrofotografia/
   4. https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/
   5. https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2BC0K5D/two-cats-sitting-in-safe-social-distance-separated-by-an-open-drainage-channel-in-the-street-with-natural-stone-paving-in-a-greek-village-cyclades-2BC0K5D.jpg
   6. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap990510.html
   7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar-ring_galaxy
   8. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130514.html
   9. https://www.instagram.com/p/DZIts5qua6c/
  10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_force
  11. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1993A&AS..100...47G/abstract
  12. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_4650
  13. https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/types/
  14. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260517.html
  15. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1gT_9ubUKcbFl8gNYAM1qF3muKpNh0HFlE9rl1cLFC-dJH1jh-WTH-aE&s=10
  16. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220606.html
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurus_Cluster
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/random_apod.html
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260809.html
  20. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  21. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  23. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  25. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  27. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  28. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=260810
  29. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260811.html
  30. https://www.mtu.edu/physics/department/faculty/nemiroff/
  31. https://www.mtu.edu/physics/
  32. https://inspirehep.net/authors/1073087
  33. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  34. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  35. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  36. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  37. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  38. https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/astrophysics/
  39. https://www.nasa.gov/
  40. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  41. https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/
  42. http://www.mtu.edu/