"Capturing the Aftermath: 'Trainwreck' Galaxy's Violent Collision"

Astronomers using the Gemini South Telescope have studied the aftermath of a violent galactic collision that occurred over 1 billion years ago, revealing the twisted galactic disk of the lenticular galaxy NGC 4753. The collision with a smaller dwarf galaxy 1.3 billion years ago left NGC 4753 with a peculiar twisted shape, resembling a "train-wreck galaxy." The intricate dust tracks and star formation in NGC 4753 provide insight into the dynamics of galactic collisions, with differential precession winding the dust into its current shape. This unique perspective from Earth offers a detailed view of the aftermath of cosmic collisions, shedding light on the complex evolution of galaxies.