Galactic Glow Worm 23436+5257 IRAS

The twisted, worm-like structure of galaxy IRAS 23436+5257, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, is most likely the result of a collision and subsequent merger of two galaxies. Such interactions are quite common in the universe, and they can range from minor interactions involving a satellite galaxy being caught by a spiral arm, to major galactic crashes. Friction between the gas and dust during a collision can have a major effect on the galaxies involved, morphing the shape of the original galaxies and creating interesting new structures.