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Chandra Reveals 2-Million-Light-Year Spiral from Abell 2029 Collision

5/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. scientists using Chandra X-ray Observatory reported that galaxy cluster Abell 2029 collided with a smaller cluster 4 billion years ago.
The December 2025 Astrophysical Journal study described a neon-blue spiral of hot gas extending two million light-years, among the longest seen.
Researchers said the smaller cluster was ten times less massive, causing sloshing that formed the spiral and its bay and splash features.

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Story summary

U.S. scientists using Chandra X-ray Observatory reported that galaxy cluster Abell 2029 collided with a smaller cluster 4 billion years ago.
The December 2025 Astrophysical Journal study described a neon-blue spiral of hot gas extending two million light-years, among the longest seen.
Researchers said the smaller cluster was ten times less massive, causing sloshing that formed the spiral and its bay and splash features.