1 00:00:00,149 --> 00:00:07,770 This interacting galaxy duo, called Arp 143, holds the distorted, star-forming spiral galaxy 2 00:00:07,770 --> 00:00:18,109 NGC 2445 at the right, along with its less flashy companion, NGC 2444 at the left. 3 00:00:18,109 --> 00:00:24,550 Astronomers think both galaxies passed through each other, igniting the unique triangular-shaped 4 00:00:24,550 --> 00:00:26,960 firestorm of star birth. 5 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:34,710 Because NGC 2445 is rich in gas, the fuel of star formation, it holds thousands of infant 6 00:00:34,710 --> 00:00:35,710 stars. 7 00:00:35,710 --> 00:00:39,690 Yet it hasn’t escaped the gravitational clutches of its partner. 8 00:00:39,690 --> 00:00:46,600 The pair is waging a cosmic tug-of-war, and NGC 2444 appears to be winning. 9 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:52,370 The galaxy has pulled gas from its companion, forming the oddball triangle of newly-minted 10 00:00:52,370 --> 00:00:53,610 stars. 11 00:00:53,610 --> 00:00:58,690 By studying head-on galaxy collisions like this, we can better understand the origins 12 00:00:58,690 --> 00:01:02,530 and evolution of ringed star formation in galaxies.