Space Tsunami: Rare Eye-Shaped Galaxy Explained

A pair of strange, eye-like star clusters was recently spotted approximately 114 million light-years from Earth, by astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The odd feature has caused frenzy among the cosmic enthusiasts, prompting them to ask questions about how the dazzling star formation came about.

As explained in the study published on the Astrophysical Journal, the strange formation was triggered when a spiral galaxy dubbed IC 2163 collided another spiral galaxy dubbed NGC 2207. When galaxies collide, the result is often chaotic, making the formation of eye-like star clusters rare.

"Although galaxy collisions of this type are not uncommon, only a few galaxies with eye-like, or ocular, structures are known to exist," lead author Michele Kaufman said in a statement. "Finding one in such a newly formed state gives us an exceptional opportunity to study what happens when one galaxy grazes another."

As per Christian Science Monitor, data analysis made by the researchers showed that gas from IC 2163's outer "eyelid" is spiraling inward and eventually slows down as it approaches the center. They also found out that the molecular gas becomes denser as it decelerated. This results to formation of new star clusters.

"What we observe in this galaxy is very much like a massive ocean wave barreling toward shore until it interacts with the shallows, causing it to lose momentum and dump all of its water and sand on the beach," co-author Bruce Elmegreen, a scientist with IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center said.

Not many galactic eyelid formations have been observed because their lifespan is considered short. Scientists said the recent discovery could aid in learning more about this rare formation.

Also recently, a nearly naked supermassive black hole was detected and was also formed as a result of a galactic collision.