Illustrator’s view of Tidal Tails

Scientists observing the newly-dormant galaxy SDSS J1448+1010 found that most of its star-forming fuel had been tossed out of the system as it merged with another galaxy. That gas is not forming new stars for the galaxy but remains nearby in new structures known as tidal tails. This artist’s conception shows the stream of gas and stars that were flung away from the massive galaxy during its merger.
Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S.Dagnello (NRAO/AUI/NSF)