This unusual looking collection of island universes 600 million light years away in the constellation Cepheus is known as ARP 194, it contains several interacting galaxies.
In the northern section at least two galaxy nuclei can be seen very close to each other, in the process of joining together and merging as one. This galaxy collision is triggering a blaze of star formation due to the compression of interstellar material. Star clusters containing massive young hot suns shine brightly in an intense blue colour.
But the most amazing feature of this galactic scene is a 100,000 light year bridge, or fountain of stars, gas, and dust that is crossing from the colliding galaxies in the northern section to a quite normal looking spiral in the south. The fountain is packed with massive clusters of young and very hot stars. The southern galaxy seems to be drawing this cosmic fountain into it’s own spiral arms. Image credit: Nasa