A celestial collision involving two spiral galaxies, cataloged as NGC 7253 and Arp 278, has been captured in high resolution by the Gemini North telescope on Maunakea, Hawai‘i. Located approximately 200 million light-years away in the constellation Pegasus, the galaxies are currently engaged in a gravitational interaction that is stimulating intense star formation.
The pair was selected for observation by students participating in the Project Hōkūlani internship, a collaborative effort between the University of Hawaiʻi and the Gemini Observatory. The students bestowed the name Nā ʻUhane Māhoe Huki Pū i ke Ola upon the system, which translates to "The Twin Spirits Pulling Together Creating Life." This title reflects the astronomical reality of the merger, where the mixing of galactic materials triggers the birth of new stars.
The region of the sky containing these galaxies is recognized within Hawaiian navigational traditions as Ka Lupe o Kawelo. The detailed imagery was acquired using the 8.1-meter Gemini North telescope.
Source: NASA
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