Chapter 8: The Antennae Galaxies

Published: June 12, 2008, 5:22 p.m.

The galaxy pair NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 is commonly referred to as the Antennae Galaxies because their distorted streamer-like spiral arms look like insect antennae. Initially two separate spiral galaxies, gravity drew NGC 4038 and 4039 together in a titanic collision.