Zoom into the Spiral Galaxy C153

Too Fast, Too Furious: A Galaxy's Fatal Plunge

These images offer a dramatic look at a spiral galaxy like our Milky Way being ripped apart as it races at 4.5 million miles per hour through the heart of a distant cluster of galaxies. The images, taken over several wavelengths, provide evidence of the "galactic assault and...

Images from Several Telescopes Combined to Show Galaxy C153 in Cluster Abell 2125

Galaxy C153 in Cluster Abell 2125, Shown in Visible Light

Galaxy C153 in Cluster Abell 2125 in X-ray (Chandra)

Galaxy C153 in Cluster Abell 2125 in Radio (VLA)

Galaxy C153 in Cluster Abell 2125 from the Ground (KPNO)

A Disintegrating Galaxy Plows Through Space

This is an artist's conception of the spiral galaxy C153. The galaxy looks peculiar because it is plowing through the heart of a distant galaxy cluster at 4.5 million miles per hour. Gas compressed along the galaxy's leading edge, like snow before a plow, ignited a firestorm of...

Artist's View of C153 in Abell 2125 (original, uncropped)

Galaxy C153 Stripped of Hydrogen

An animation showing how the "distressed" galaxy C153 is being stripped of hydrogen from its spiral arms.

Interview with Dr. William Keel (1st of 4 clips): What's Happening in C153

First of four interview clips with Dr. William Keel, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Alabama. Topic discussions on what is happening in galaxy C153, the scientific implications, how this could pertain to us and why the different observations were used.

Interview with Dr. William Keel (2nd of 4 clips): Scientific Implications

Second of four interview clips with Dr. William Keel, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Alabama. Topic discussions on what is happening in galaxy C153, the scientific implications, how this could pertain to us and why the different observations were used.

Interview with Dr. William Keel (3rd of 4 clips): Pertains to Us

Third of four interview clips with Dr. William Keel, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Alabama. Topic discussions on what is happening in galaxy C153, the scientific implications, how this could pertain to us and why the different observations were used.

Interview with Dr. William Keel (4th of 4 clips): Different Observations

Fourth of four interview clips with Dr. William Keel, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Alabama. Topic discussions on what is happening in galaxy C153, the scientific implications, how this could pertain to us and why the different observations were used.