Astrophysicists use ‘space archaeology’ to trace the history of a spiral galaxy
- Written by Lisa Kewley, Director of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, Smithsonian Institution
This artist's impression shows the spiral galaxy NGC 1365 colliding and merging with a smaller galaxy. Melissa Weiss/CfABillions of years ago, a young spiral galaxy began to grow in a crowded part of the universe. It pulled in gas and small companion galaxies, slowly building up the bright central region and sweeping spiral arms we see today.




