"Dark Energy Camera Uncovers Galaxies Engaged in Cosmic Tug of War"

Astronomers have captured an image of a cosmic tug of war between a massive galaxy, NGC 1532, and its smaller dwarf galaxy neighbor, NGC 1531. The smaller galaxy is being dragged towards its larger counterpart and will eventually merge with it, resembling an act of cosmic cannibalism. The image, taken by the Dark Energy Camera, reveals the distorted spiral arms of NGC 1532 and a bridge of gas and dust connecting the two galaxies. This observation provides insights into how galaxies grow by merging with smaller companions. The Milky Way, too, has cannibalized smaller dwarf galaxies and is currently surrounded by satellite dwarf galaxies, some of which are being digested. In the future, the Milky Way is expected to merge with the Andromeda galaxy, resulting in the merger of their central supermassive black holes.