NGC 5257 and NGC 5258 are gravitationally interacting galaxies of similar size and mass in the constellation Virgo. The pair of spiral galaxies, also known as Arp 240, has a bridge-like interacting feature of faint stars, resembling two dancers holding hands. Both galaxies are known to host a supermassive black hole at their centers, and active star formation occurs within their galactic disks. (Credit: NAOJ; Image provided by Masayuki Tanaka)
Distance from Earth: About 300 million light-years
Instrument: Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC)
