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	Image Gallery > Featured Image on August 4, 2003 Send to a friend  Enlarge image Keywords Whirlpool Galaxy, M51  Anatomy of Galaxies  Galaxies  Telescopes and Modern Observatories  Astronomers  Resources FAQs about Galaxies and Cosmology Astronomy Gift Shop 2009 Sky Almanac Pentax 10x50 binoculars McDonald Observatory logo cap Galactic Sideswipe    The two galaxies that form M51, the Whirlpool Nebula, sideswiped each other about 250 million years ago, pulling out great streamers of stars from each galaxy. Eventually, the two will merge to form a single galaxy. Astronomers from Penn State University have studied dead stars in the galaxies to learn more about their long-term interactions. [Credit: N.A. Sharp, NOAO] For more information, see our August 7 broadcast. Show all images about: All Categories Earth, Moon and the Sun The Solar System Space Probes & Human Exploration Stars & Nebulae Astronomers & Observatories Galaxies & Cosmology Stargazing & Star Lore
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