The "Angel Wing" in space refers to the VV-689 system, which is a pair of two merging galaxies that resemble an angel's wing when viewed through telescopes.
VV-689: The Angel Wing Explained
Unlike galaxies that only appear to overlap from our perspective on Earth, the galaxies in VV-689 are actually colliding. This makes the "Angel Wing" a genuine interaction between two galaxies rather than a simple alignment. The image of this system was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
Here's a breakdown:
- Name: VV-689, nicknamed the "Angel Wing"
- Nature: Merging galaxies
- Status: Currently colliding
- Observation: Imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope
In essence, the Angel Wing is a visual nickname given to a specific system of two galaxies undergoing a collision, captured in a stunning image by the Hubble Space Telescope.