ZW II 96

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ZW II 96

Galaxy Collision (ZW II 96)
Observation data
Constellation Delphinus
Distance 0.5 Gly
See also: Galaxy, List of galaxies

The object ZW II 96 (also II Zw 96) is a pair of galaxies that are currently merging together.

The shape of the merging galaxies is unusual; a number of powerful young starburst regions hang as long, threadlike structures between the main galaxy cores. The system almost qualifies as an ultraluminous system, but has not yet reached the late stage of coalescence that is the norm for most ultraluminous systems.

Zw II 96 is located in the constellation of Delphinus, the Dolphin, about 500 million light-years away from Earth.

The photograph is one of a collection of 59 images of merging galaxies taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. This collection of images was released on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Hubble's launch on 24th April 2008.

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