Two spiral galaxies approach collision with each other behind a sparse field of bright stars. The scene of the accident is 53 million light years away, and by now the two galaxies have most likely merged to form a single, new massive system.

12 1/2″ Ritchey-Chretien Telescope with a ST10XE/CFW8. F/6LRGB (44/7minBW,10/5minRGB. binned 2×2. Scaled on MaximDL at R1.0,G 1.0,B.1.6).