Cosmic collapse

This artist's impression illustrates the 'monolithic collapse' scenario, whereby galaxies are formed through the collapse of gas, stars and dust clouds in Space. Here a spiral type galaxy is created, as the colliding constituents begin to rotate, fanning out to form spiral arms around a central core. This graphic will form part of the "The Living Universe" exhibition, to be displayed at the ESO Supernova, opening in late 2017.