NASA's Picture of the Day reveals a captivating sight within Markarian's Galaxy Chain. At the heart of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster lies this cosmic string, prominently featuring the interacting galaxies NGC 4438 and NGC 4435, dubbed "The Eyes." 

Eyeing "The Eyes" in Markarian's Galaxy Chain

Situated approximately 50 million light-years away, these galaxies appear deceptively close, with a separation of about 100,000 light-years in the stunning close-up captured by astrophotographer Mike Selby. 

However, their cosmic history suggests a much closer encounter, estimated at only 16,000 light-years apart in the distant past, according to NASA. 

Gravitational interactions from this close encounter have left their mark on both galaxies, tearing away stars, gas, and dust in the process. Despite their close proximity, NGC 4438 managed to retain a significant portion of the material disturbed during the collision, while NGC 4435 lost much of its mass more easily.

The captivating image not only showcases the intricate dance of NGC 4438 and NGC 4435 but also provides a glimpse into the vast cosmic expanse surrounding them. 

NASA also noted that the deep image captures numerous distant background galaxies, highlighting the richness and complexity of the universe beyond Markarian's Chain.

All About the Markarian Chain

Named after Benjamin E. Markarian, an Armenian astrophysicist who first discovered their shared motion through space, Markarian's Chain boasts several galaxies with coherent movements, while others appear merely superimposed in the same line of sight.

Messier 87, also known as Virgo A, a supergiant elliptical galaxy near the Markarian galaxies, is Dominating this region of the sky. Markarian's Chain lies just north of Messier 87, accompanied by smaller elliptical galaxies NGC 4476, NGC 4478, and NGC 4486A in the immediate vicinity.

The discovery of the first galaxies in Markarian's Chain dates back to 1781, when Charles Messier cataloged the bright and featureless elliptical or lenticular galaxies Messier 84 and Messier 86. In 1888, John L.E. Dreyer included additional members of the galaxy chain in the New General Catalogue.

NGC 4435 and NGC 4438, the focal point of this celestial display, form a captivating interacting pair known as the Eyes Galaxies. Their gravitational interaction in the past brought them remarkably close, resulting in the distinctive appearance that earned them their nickname. 

Read Also: NASA's Picture of the Day Offers Stunning View of a Disc Galaxy Seen From Its Edge 

Bird Watching in Space

In related news, NASA's previous Picture of the Day takes on a celestial birdwatching theme as it highlighting the Seagull Nebula, offering astronomers a glimpse into its expansive beauty. 

This cosmic spectacle resembles the outline of a bird in flight. It spans a vast 2.5-degree stretch across the Milky Way's plane and draws observers into its intricate details.

According to NASA, the Seagull Nebula, also known by its catalog designations Sh2-296 and IC 2177, is found near the direction of Sirius, the alpha star of Canis Major, and the constellation of the Big Dog.

Read more about this cosmic bird here. 

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