The Hubble space telescope took a fresh look at the impressive galaxy NGC 4485, which was twisted and tightened by its larger neighbor. Gravity of the second galaxy disrupted an orderly set of stars, gas and dust, giving rise to a disorderly region of newborns and hot blue giants, chaotic clusters and streams.
Galaxy NGC 4485 was involved in a dramatic gravitational interaction with the large galactic neighbor NGC 4490. Discovered at a distance of about 30 million light years from Earth in the direction of the Hounds Dog constellation, the strange result of the interaction of the galactic duet led to the appearance of the object Arp 269 in the Atlas of peculiar galaxies.
Leaving behind their closest approach, NGC 4485 and NGC 4490 are now moving apart, significantly different from the original structures. Still involved in a destructive, but artistic dance, the gravitational force between them continues to distort each of the participants beyond recognition, while at the same time creating conditions for huge areas of intense star formation.
Galactic tug-of-war created a stream of material about 25,000 light-years long that connects two galaxies. The stream consists of bright knots and huge gas pockets, as well as impressive star-forming areas where young massive blue stars are born. However, these short-lived stars are quickly depleted and end their lives with dramatic explosions, which in turn enrich the space environment with heavier elements and release material for the formation of a new generation of stars.
There are two completely different areas in NGC 4485 today: hints on the original spiral structure of the galaxy on the left, and a part torn out of the spiral in the direction of its larger neighbor and overflowing with hot blue stars and streams of dust and gas.
The colorful destruction of the galaxy NGC 4485
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