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Arp 107 is located 465 million

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light-years from Earth
in the constellation Leo Minor.

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This image captures a scene that stretches
approximately

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400,000 light-years across.

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The spiral galaxy is about six times

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more massive than its elliptical companion. 

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In Arp 107 two galaxies are caught
in the early stages of a merger.

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On the left,
a smaller elliptical galaxy contrasts

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with the larger spiral galaxy
on the right.

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Their interaction stems from an off-center
collision, where the smaller galaxy

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collided with the spiral from the side
several hundred million years ago.

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These two bright regions host ongoing
star formation.

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Galaxy collisions
can trigger the formation of new stars

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when interstellar gases get compressed.

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The spiral galaxy in Arp 107
has an exceptionally bright core.

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This brightness is caused in part
by the supermassive black hole

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at its center, which consumes
surrounding material like gas and dust.

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As this material falls inward,

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it heats up and emits
a tremendous amount of energy,

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making the galaxy's core shine
brilliantly.

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In longer wavelengths,
we can observe this bright point source,

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a clear indication of the black hole's
activity as it accretes material.

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A tenuous bridge
stretches between the two galaxies,

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composed of a mix of stars and gas, 
a result of their interaction.

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This stream of material was pulled
from both galaxies as they interacted,

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creating a visible link that underscores
the intensity of their encounter.

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This new image from the 
Webb Space Telescope

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combines
near-infrared and mid-infrared light,

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but each wavelength was also captured
separately.

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The mid-infrared view highlights
the spiral galaxy’s bright nucleus,

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while the bridge of material
connecting the galaxies disappears

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in the mid-infrared

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demonstrating how each wavelength offers
unique insights into the structure of Arp 107.

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Arp 107 is compelling
because it showcases the dramatic effects

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of galactic interaction,
with a distorted spiral galaxy

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connected by a bridge of material
to another galaxy,

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providing insights into the processes
that drive galaxy evolution.

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But what is it that astronomers
love most about this image?

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It looks like a smiley face.