The galaxy M64, known as the Black Eye or Sleeping Beauty, was formed by the merger of two galaxies—a giant and a dwarf—rotating in opposite directions. This created a unique structure: the gas and dust disk in its inner region moves in the opposite direction to the stars and gas in the outer ring.
The unusual dynamics of M64 arose from the gravitational interaction between the two systems. The inner disk retained the rotation of the smaller galaxy, while the outer ring follows the direction of the giant one. This discrepancy makes the Black Eye a rare object for astronomers.
Studies show that the collision triggered intense star formation, especially in the inner region, where gas and dust are compressed. This explains the dark dust lane that gave the galaxy its nickname—Black Eye.
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