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What is the angel wing in space?

Published in Galaxies and Astronomy 1 min read

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.

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