Galaxy Merger

A galaxy merger occurs when two galaxies come close enough that their gravitational forces cause them to collide and combine over time. During this process, stars, gas, and dust from both galaxies interact, often triggering new star formation and reshaping their structures. Mergers can range from relatively gentle encounters to dramatic reorganizations, eventually forming a larger, more complex galaxy—such as an elliptical galaxy. These events typically unfold over hundreds of millions of years and play a key role in the evolution of galaxies within the universe.