Zooming in on Atoms-for-Peace: a galactic collision in action

In this zoom sequence we start with a very wide-field view of the constellation of Aquarius, far from the Milky Way and lacking bright objects. At the start north is to the right and the brightest star is Fomalhaut. As we zoom in we see a tiny fuzzy ball appear with curious appendages. This is a collision between two galaxies, a strange object known as NGC 7252, or Arp 226, and with the odd nickname Atoms-for-Peace. The final very deep and detailed view is a new image taken with the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile.