US space agency NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) often delights space enthusiasts with updates on the latest discoveries related to galaxies, stars, and planets within our solar system. It also shares captivating images captured by its spacecraft. Now, in its most recent post, the space agency dropped a mesmerising photograph of an interacting galaxy pair known as Arp-Madore 2339-661. Located roughly 500 million light-years from Earth, the image was captured using NASA and the European Space Agency’s Hubble Space Telescope. 

“A galactic tango! This striking #HubbleFriday image captures the gravitationally-interacting galaxy pair known as Arp-Madore 2339-661,” NASA wrote in the caption. 

Take a look below: 

The two galaxies are in the process of merging, according to a statement from the European Space Agency. One galaxy is known as NGC 7733 – the smaller galaxy seen in the lower right – and the other is NGC 7734 – the larger galaxy in the upper left. However, hidden in the star-studded spiral arm of the smaller galaxy is yet another galaxy, referred to as NGC 7733N. 

“The third galaxy is currently referred to as NGC 7733N, and can actually be spotted in this picture if you look carefully at the upper arm of NGC 7733, where there is a visually notable knot-like structure, glowing with a different colour to the arm and obscured by dark dust,” the ESA wrote in its blog.

“This could easily pass as part of NGC 7733, but analysis of the velocities (speed, but also considering direction) involved in the galaxy shows that this knot has a considerable additional redshift, meaning that it is very likely its own entity and not part of NGC 7733,” it added. 

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Further, according to the European Space Agency, the three galaxies lie relatively close to each other in the constellation Tucana and are interacting gravitationally with one another. In fact, some science literature refers to them as a ‘merging group,’ which means they will ultimately become a single entity, ESA said. 

Meanwhile, since being posted, the picture has collected nearly 7 lakh likes on Instagram. 

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi pointed out differences in the terms of benefits given to the families of Agniveers and those of regular jawans killed in the line of duty and said, “Discrimination in the sacrifice of martyrs is an insult to them.”

Rahul Gandhi, who has been critical of the Agnipath scheme, shared a chart on X showing lesser benefits for the families of Agniveers compared to those of regular soldiers after their death in the line of duty.

“Discrimination in the sacrifice of martyrs is an insult to them,” Rahul Gandhi said.

“The blood of every martyr should have the same value,” he asserted.

Earlier this week, Mr Gandhi alleged that the Agnipath scheme was devised to “insult” India’s soldiers as no pension or other benefits are given to the families of Agniveers after their death in the line of duty. The BJP refuted the charge.

The Congress leader shared a picture of Agniveer Gavate Akshay Laxman and said the news of his death in Siachen was saddening.

“My deepest condolences to his family. A young man was martyred for the country – no gratuity, no other military facilities for his service, and no pension to his family in martyrdom.

“Agniveer is a plan to insult the heroes of India,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.

Agniveer Gavate Akshay Laxman died in the line of duty in Siachen in the early hours of last Saturday.

The Agnipath scheme was introduced in 2022 for short-term contractual recruitment, extending to a maximum of four years, of soldiers in the tri-services – the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.

Dismissing some survey reports suggesting that there would be a “hung” assembly in Telangana after the November 30 polls, BRS MLC K Kavitha said on Saturday that her party is going to triumph in the elections while Congress and others win only in surveys.

Replying to a host of questions from netizens on “X”, she also said with the blessings of the Telangana people, BRS is going to win between 95 and 105 seats in the 119-member house.

“They played the same trick in 2018. Many surveys were thrown at the people in 2018 as well .. but BRS won with a thumping majority. Let Congress & others win the surveys this time also & BRS will win the election,” she replied when asked about some surveys’ results on the hung assembly.

On Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks that the BJP, if it wins the polls in Telangana, will make a BC candidate as chief minister, she ridiculed that the saffron party replaced a BC leader with an OC (open category) person as state unit head. The Central government also refused to conduct an OBC caste census across the country, she said.

“BJP refuses to give reservations to OBC women. BJP refuses to form BC welfare ministry at the Centre. BJP refuses to give a 33% OBC quota in parliament & assemblies. Now the same BJP says that they’ll make BC a CM…what I see is just another election Gimmick,” she slammed.

When asked who her favourite politician other than her father (K Chandrasekhar Rao), she replied it is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

K Kavitha said the arrest of former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu, is “unfortunate” and her sympathies are with his family.