Abell 3667: A Cosmic Dance of Merging Galaxies Captured by NOIRLab

Prepare to be mesmerized by Abell 3667, a breathtaking deep field image brought to us by NOIRLab's powerful Dark Energy Camera. This celestial spectacle captures the dramatic merger of two smaller galaxy clusters, located an astonishing 700 million light-years away from Earth.

As is the nature of deep field images, nearly every point of light you see in this picture is a galaxy, some near and some impossibly distant. The only exceptions are the foreground stars of our own Milky Way, recognizable by their distinct diffraction spikes.

Unveiling Intracluster Light and Galactic Cirrus

One of the most captivating features of Abell 3667 is the ethereal yellow glow emanating from intraciuster light. This phenomenon arises from stars that have been violently stripped from their parent galaxies by the immense gravitational forces at play during this cosmic collision. These liberated stars now drift through the cluster, adding to its luminous tapestry.

Further enhancing the depth of this image is the presence of faint, bluish "galactic cirrus", also known as integrated flux nebulae. These wispy structures originate from the outer reaches of our own Milky Way galaxy and lie in the foreground, much like the brighter Milky Way stars.

Dive Deeper into the Cosmos

For those eager to explore this stunning image in even greater detail, NOIRLab provides incredible resources:

• High Resolution Image (12,000 x 12,000 pixels):
• High Resolution Collage (24,000 x 12,000 pixels) highlighting jellyfish galaxies:
• Full News Release with more discussion and videos:

Abell 3667 serves as a powerful reminder of the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the universe, offering a glimpse into the powerful forces that shape galaxies and the vast cosmic structures they inhabit.