Arp8

Arp 8 is a catalog designation for a pair of interacting galaxies. These galaxies are located in the constellation Ursa Major and were first cataloged by astronomer Halton Arp in his 1966 Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. The Arp 8 system is notable for the prominent tidal bridge of gas and stars connecting the two galaxies. This bridge suggests that the galaxies are actively interacting and likely to merge in the future. The larger galaxy in the pair is a spiral galaxy, while the smaller companion is also believed to be a spiral galaxy, though its structure is significantly distorted by the gravitational influence of its larger neighbor. Observations indicate that the interaction is ongoing, with ongoing star formation occurring within the tidal bridge. The distance to Arp 8 is estimated to be around 100 million light-years. Studying Arp 8 provides valuable insights into the processes of galactic interaction and evolution, particularly the formation of tidal tails and the triggers for starburst activity in galaxies.