<p>Two <a href="http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/galaxies-gallery/">galaxies</a> in the early stages of a cosmic collision form a stellar exclamation mark in a newly released picture that combines data from two NASA telescopes.</p><p>The <a href="http://chandra.si.edu/">Chandra X-ray Observatory</a> and the <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html">Hubble Space Telescope</a> joined forces to make the new picture of the merging pair, known as VV 340. The two spiral galaxies are slated to become one, although the process takes millions of years.</p>
Cosmic Exclamation
Two galaxies in the early stages of a cosmic collision form a stellar exclamation mark in a newly released picture that combines data from two NASA telescopes.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope joined forces to make the new picture of the merging pair, known as VV 340. The two spiral galaxies are slated to become one, although the process takes millions of years.
Space Pictures This Week: Mars Rover, Galaxy Smashup, More
Galaxies "punctuate" the cosmos, the sun shoots a huge flare, a Mars rover reaches its target, and more in the week's best space pictures.
DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.