Astronomers have discovered a misshapen galaxy, NGC 3640, that appears to be approaching its next target. Located 88 million light-years from Earth, this unusual elliptical galaxy has a history of absorbing smaller galaxies and is now on course to merge with a nearby companion.
New images from the Very Large Telescope (VLT) reveal that NGC 3640 has consumed other galaxies over billions of years, leaving “scars” that contain the remains of its first stars. These stars serve as “fossil markers” of the galaxy’s past and provide evidence of its violent history.
The VLT images show that a smaller neighbor, NGC 3641, lies within NGC 3640’s path and may be the galaxy’s next meal. However, astronomers believe NGC 3641 has time before it is consumed, as recent images do not show any signs of distortion from the approaching galaxy.
The discovery sheds light on how galaxies change over billions of years, stealing gas and stars from other galaxies or engulfing them in a collision that leaves behind “scars.” This process can distort the original structures of both galaxies, ultimately leading to their merger into a single, larger galaxy.
Source: https://www.space.com/very-large-telescope-hungry-galaxy-next-cosmic-meal