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terabranford t1_j97qx8d wrote

I realize something like this may take forever to answer, but: is the tail moving at all?

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Finnbalt t1_j97zif0 wrote

Everything in space is moving.

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terabranford t1_j981kan wrote

Sorry, i was rushed and didnt make myself clear.

I meant, how is it moving? Separately? Away? Synced??

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Jackalodeath t1_j98fgej wrote

Got nosey; according to this article by NASA, it's presumed the tail will "break off" over the course of its progenitor galaxy's lifetime; a long fucken time from now. Its thought to have been formed from a collision with a smaller, blue, "blob-like" galaxy - which is visible in the upper left of the Tadpoles' "head," inside one of its spiral arms - that has managed to get about 300,000 light-years away from its "victim" since.

All info gleaned from linked article.

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terabranford t1_j98gbl6 wrote

Ah, ok. Thank you.

I thought as much. I was just hoping to spark some good old fashioned debate and theorizing.

fail

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Jackalodeath t1_j98hlix wrote

Ah. Well, spurred me to learn something, so thanks on my part!

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