The Hubble Space Telescope captured a snapshot of a new galaxy’s late formation stages. It came into being when two existing expanses collided then merged.

The idea of two galaxies colliding brings thoughts of all sorts of explosions, gas clouds, and flying celestial bodies to mind. 
While those things certainly occur, the union involves some relatively quieter moments as well. 
The Hubble Space Telescope captured one of those times, and NASA has shared that image. 
Though there is still plenty of chaos to be observed, what remains is but a shadow of the activity that was.
NASA notes that earlier in the process, “…the