Embargoed until 1 a.m. (EDT) November 22, 1999

Multiple Galaxy Collisions Surprise Hubble Astronomers

Hubble astronomers conducting research on a class of galaxies called ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRG) have discovered that over two dozen of these are found within "nests" of galaxies, apparently engaged in multiple collisions that lead to fiery pile-ups of three, four or even five galaxies smashing together.

Borne's co-investigators are Howard Bushouse (Space Telescope Science Institute), Luis Colina (Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria, Spain) and Ray Lucas (Space Telescope Science Institute).

The Space Telescope Science Institute is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. for NASA, under contract with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency.