The Cartwheel Galaxy  --" When Galaxies Collide"
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This image shows a peculiar galaxy what looks like a cart, or wagon, 
wheel.  It
is the result of a rare and spectacular head on collision between this galaxy
and possible one of the other two that you see at the right.  The Cartwheel
galaxy was probably shaped like a spiral (like our own Milky Way) before the
collision but, like a stone tossed into a pond, the collision sent out a 
ripple
of energy that compressed the galaxy's gas in its wake and distorted its 
shape.
This circular ripple of compressed gas is currently at the position of the
Cratwheel's "rim" and has resulted in a burst of star formation that 
causes the
rim to shine brightly.

<p align="center"><img src="images/copyright.gif" width="300" height="28"></p>
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