A Quick Look at a Collision Between Four Galaxy Clusters in Abell 1758

Astronomers have observed an impending crash of enormous proportions.

This system, called Abell 1758, contains four separate galaxy clusters — all headed for each other.

Galaxy clusters, made up of thousands of galaxies embedded in hot gas and huge amounts of unseen dark matter, are the largest objects in the Universe.

In Abell 1758, scientists previously found two pairs of galaxy clusters, each merging with each other, being drawn together by gravity.

Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes, astronomers have learned much about Abell 1758 including the relative speed of two of the clusters.

When these four galaxy clusters eventually merge in several billion years, they will form one of the most massive objects in the Universe.

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