Galaxy clusters: Good enough to eat

Fornax Cluster     (ESO photo)

Binging on peanut clusters is one thing, binging on galaxy clusters quite another.

Whereas peanuts don’t gobble up other peanuts, galaxies aren’t quite that friendly.  CNN reports that galaxies within the Fornax Cluster (a mere “65 million light years from Earth”) are indeed feasting upon one another.

Galaxy cannibalization is far more common than the Universe cares to admit.  Larger galaxies suck up smaller ones via gravitational offers that can’t be resisted.  Since clusters “may contain from 100 to 1,000 galaxies, ranging from 5 to 30 light-years apart,” those are awfully big “pills” to swallow.

Resources

http://www.kcci.com/project-economy/technology/cannibal-galaxy-spotted-in-new-photo/39027186 

Copyright April 14, 2016 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved