Hickson Compact Group 90

This Hubble Space Telescope image shows three galaxies playing a game of gravitational tug-of-war. The galaxy interaction may ultimately lead to the three combining into two larger star cities. The three galaxies — NGC 7173 (upper left), NGC 7174 (middle right), and NGC 7176 (lower right) — are part of Hickson Compact Group 90. NGC 7173 and NGC 7176 appear to be smooth, normal, elliptical galaxies without much gas and dust. In stark contrast, NGC 7174 is a mangled spiral galaxy that appears as though it is being ripped apart by its close neighbors.