NGC 6670

NGC 6670 is a pair of interacting spiral galaxies located approximately 400 million light-years away in the constellation Draco. Also known as Arp 165, it comprises two distinct galaxies, NGC 6670A and NGC 6670B, that are in the process of merging.

The interaction between these galaxies is causing significant gravitational disruption, leading to the formation of elongated tidal tails and bridges of stars and gas connecting the two systems. These features are evidence of the ongoing gravitational forces at play.

NGC 6670 is classified as a luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG), meaning it emits a large amount of energy in the infrared portion of the spectrum. This intense infrared emission is often associated with high rates of star formation triggered by the galactic merger. The collision compresses gas and dust clouds within the galaxies, leading to increased star birth.

Studying interacting galaxies like NGC 6670 helps astronomers understand the processes that shape galaxy evolution. Mergers are thought to be a common mechanism for galaxies to grow and change over cosmic time, and observing these events in action provides valuable insights into the dynamics and evolution of galaxies. The colors seen in observations reflect the varying ages and composition of the stellar populations in the system, with bluer regions indicating younger, hotter stars formed in the recent burst of star formation, and redder regions indicating older, cooler stars.