---
title: "Astronomy Picture of the Day: 09/08/13 – Arp 272"
description: "[caption id=\"attachment_21592\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"473\"] Credit: Hubble Legacy Archive , ESA , NASA ; Processing - Martin Pugh: (Larger Image)[/caption] In yet another look at the process driving galaxy mergers, we come across a triplet of interacting galaxies - known as Arp 272. First and foremost, we have NGC 6050 - the galaxy located near the center...."
date: "2013-09-08"
modified: "2013-09-08"
authors:
  - name: "Jaime Trosper"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jaimefqtq"
url: "https://futurism.com/astronomy-picture-of-the-day-090813-arp-272-2"
categories:
  - "From Quarks to Quasars"
---

# Astronomy Picture of the Day: 09/08/13 – Arp 272

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Arp-2721.jpg>)

[![Credit: Hubble Legacy Archive , ESA , NASA ; Processing - Martin Pugh: (Larger Image)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Arp-272.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Arp-272.jpg>)
*Credit: Hubble Legacy Archive , ESA , NASA ; Processing - Martin Pugh: [(Larger Image)](<http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1109/arp272HLA_pugh.jpg>) *Image: [SITraN](<http://sitran.org/files/4713/9392/6182/stem_cells.png>)**

In yet another look at the process driving galaxy mergers, we come across a triplet of interacting galaxies - known as Arp 272.

First and foremost, we have NGC 6050 - the galaxy located near the center. Close-by, we have IC 1179 (in the upper right). Both galaxies are interacting gravitationally - with a complete merger imminent. (Since the group is located 450 million light-years from Earth - we are seeing them how they appeared 450 million years ago - indicating that the merger likely already occurred some time ago. The light just hasn't reached us yet.)

A third, less noticeable galaxy can also be seen up and to the left of NGC 6050. All three galaxies are members of the [Hercules Galaxy Cluster](<http://www.astr.ua.edu/gifimages/hercules.html>) (also known as Abell 2151), which contains more than 300 galaxies.

Further Reading:

[It's three galaxies in one for Arp 272](<http://io9.com/5843610/its-three-galaxies-in-one-for-arp-272>)

## Author
Jaime is a freelance writer, who finds great joy in sharing the wonders of universe with others. She used this passion to launch "From Quarks to Quasars" in 2012.