UAA professor helps illume the beauty in rare polar-ring galaxy

UAA Professor Travis Rector's color composite is the focus of the latest press release from the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii. The deep sky image showcases a rare polar-ring galaxy.

What's a polar-ring galaxy, you say? "Not a single dynamic body but either the 'bloody' aftermath of one galaxy piercing the heart of another or the remains of a furious tidal struggle between two galaxies that shattered one galaxy's 'lamp,' scattered its dust and gas, and formed a colorful, 40,000-light-year-long ring of visual glory." Learn more about the awesome phenomena at the Gemini Observatory website.