About This Image
Arp 273 is of a pair of interacting galaxies that form a shape resembling a rose. The larger of the spiral galaxies, known as UGC 1810, has a disk that is distorted by the gravitational pull of the galaxy below it, known as UGC 1813.
Scientific Significance
Arp 273 captures mid-stage tidal interaction and helps test collision geometry models. Morphology and color gradients reveal how interactions redistribute gas and stimulate new stars.
Observation Details
Hubble optical imaging resolves disturbed spiral structure and star-forming knots, while deep processing preserves faint tidal features around both galaxies.
Location in the Universe
Constellation
Andromeda
Distance from Earth
300 million light-years
Fun Facts
- 1
Arp 273 appears rose-like because one disk is stretched by a smaller companion.
- 2
The system was highlighted in a Hubble anniversary image release.
- 3
Tidal encounters like this can trigger bursts of star formation.
Image credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble Space Telescope
