This visualization examines the three-dimensional structure of Arp 142, a pair of interacting galaxies nicknamed the Penguin and the Egg, seen in the near-infrared by the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Penguin, a spiral galaxy cataloged NGC 2936, passed next to the Egg, an elliptical galaxy cataloged NGC 2937, seen at left.

During this gravitational encounter, the pancake-like shape of the spiral galaxy stretched and twisted. The elongated lower part of the spiral galaxy resembles the body of a penguin, and the central bulge of the galaxy forms its eye. The penguin's far side has twisted away from our view, producing what looks like a beak.

In contrast, the elliptical galaxy has been slightly elongated, producing an egg-like shape.

Examining these three-dimensional galactic structures helps us better understand how galactic encounters develop.

Credit: Visualization: Ralf Crawford, Joseph DePasquale, Christian Nieves, Joseph Olmsted, Alyssa Pagan, Frank Summers, Greg Bacon (Space Telescope Science Institute), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency.

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