Porpoise Galaxy

One look at the Porpoise Galaxy, or NGC 2936, will tell you exactly where the name comes from. It looks just like adolphin, though some say it looks more like a penguin protecting an egg. In reality, this is a asytem of two galaxies: The "dolphin" is actually part NG 2936, while the "egg" is called Arp 142.

The dolphin portion used to be a spiral galaxy similar to the Milky Way, but the immense gravitational forces of the denser galaxy below has contorted its shape significantly. The dolphin's "eye" is what used to be the spiral galaxy's core. This galaxy is also within the Hydra constellation, and within a billion years or som the pair will merge into one. For now, we'll enjoy the galactic equivalent of a clown making balloon animals.