Two-million-miles-per-hour galaxy collision seen in detail

Radio observations of Stephan’s Quintet at different frequencies. Picture: University of Hertfordshire

A massive collision of galaxies sparked by one travelling at two million miles per hour  has been seen in unprecedented detail by one of Earth’s most powerful telescopes.

The impact sparked an immensely powerful shock similar to a sonic boom from a jet fighter – the likes of which are among the most striking phenomena in the Universe, experts suggest.