Cartwheel Galaxy

A bullseye of star-forming rings left by a smaller galaxy plunging straight through a spiral’s heart.

Core Principles & Analysis

• A companion galaxy punched through its center a few hundred million years ago, launching ring-shaped density waves.
• The expanding outer ring is a firestorm of new star formation.
• JWST’s 2022 infrared portrait resolved the "spokes" reconnecting its hub to the rim.

Specifications & Metrics

• GALAXY TYPE: Ring galaxy
• DISTANCE: 500 million light-years
• DIAMETER: ~150,000 light-years