Space is beautiful. And NGC 2936 is one that's all shaped out to look like a cool dolphin in motion. How did this galaxy end up with such an unusual structure? NASA explains:
Just a few hundred million years ago, NGC 2936, the upper of the two large galaxies shown, was likely a normal spiral galaxy — spinning, creating stars — and minding its own business. But then it got too close to the massive elliptical galaxy NGC 2937 below and took a dive. Dubbed the Porpoise Galaxy for its iconic shape, NGC 2936 is not only being deflected but also being distorted by the close gravitational interaction. A burst of young blue stars forms the nose of the porpoise toward the left of the upper galaxy, while the center of the spiral appears as an eye. Alternatively, the galaxy pair, together known as Arp 142, look to some like a penguin protecting an egg. Either way, intricate dark dust lanes and bright blue star streams trail the troubled galaxy to the lower right. In a billion years or so the two galaxies will likely merge into one larger galaxy.
Via NASA APOD. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STSci/AURA).