Hubble Space Telescope spots a festive gathering of spiral galaxies (image)

[Admin]

The Hubble Space Telescope spotted a gathering of spiral galaxies for a stunning image released Monday (Dec. 25). But this apparent togetherness may be an illusion.

Hubble Space Telescope spots a festive gathering of spiral galaxies (image) : Read more

 

[Darklurker]

While NGC 1356 is located between 500 million and 600 million light-years from Earth, the galaxy with which it appears to be exchanging stars and gas is located at a considerably greater distance away. LEDA 95415 is actually 840 million light years away from us, meaning there is a vast 290 light year or so gulf between these galaxies. (For perspective, the closest star system to Earth is roughly four light years away.)

Am I doing the math wrong? Shouldn't the gulf to LEDA 95415 actually be 290 MILLLION light years not just 290 light years?