Pair of interacting galaxies in the constellation Triangulum Australe
ESO 69-6 collectively known as AM 1633-682,[1] is a pair of interacting galaxies located 654 million light-years away in the constellation of Triangulum Australe.[1] They are made of two galaxies: ESO 069-IG 006N known as IRAS 16330-6820,[2] and ESO 069-IG 006S known as LEDA 285730.[3]
Characteristics
Both galaxies are in stages of merging with each other.[4] They resemble musical notes on a stave.[5] Long tidal tails are formed, which stars and gas are stripped and torn away from their outer regions.[5][6] These tails are proven signs of their interactions.[5] Additionally numerical simulations that reproduces interaction-induced inflow of gas and resulting nuclear starbursts can, might trigger strong starbursts in both galaxies.[7]
It is proven from the gravitational interactions of ESO 69–6, the surrounding intergalactic medium can be enriched with metals very efficiently up to distances of several 100 kpc.[8] This can be explained in terms of indirect processes or direct processes that create kinetic spreading of baryonic matter.[8] Possibly, they will eventually merge with each other and form a much bigger galaxy, in this case an elliptical galaxy, in the future.[9][10]
References
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