OldMilkyway_Colour2.jpg

An artist's impression of a large blue-grey galaxy in space, surrounded very closely by 5 smaller satellite galaxies which appear grey in colour. Faint background stars are seen surrounding all of the galaxies.
This image shows an artist impression of our Milky Way galaxy in its youth. Five small satellite galaxies, of various types and sizes, are in the process of being accreted into the Milky Way. These satellite galaxies also contribute globular star clusters to the larger galaxy. The Sparkler galaxy provides a snap-shot of an infant Milky Way as it accretes mass over cosmic time.
James Josephides, Swinburne University.
Licence type
Attribution (CC BY 4.0)