Hubble’s high-resolution imagery allowed researchers to hone in on more of the Bullseye galaxy’s rings — and helped confirm which galaxy dove through its core. Seabirds like the Northern Gannet dive straight into the ocean to catch fish,

A small blue dwarf galaxy passed through the massive Bullseye galaxy. This impact created nine rings of new stars.

The research team said these rings likely formed when a smaller galaxy shot through the heart of the Bullseye galaxy roughly 50 million years ago. “The collision triggered the creation of nine beautiful,

The Bullseye is now confirmed to have nine rings, eight of which are visible to Hubble. Researchers confirmed the existence of the ninth ring by studying data from the W. M. Keck Observatory. That means the Bullseye has six more rings than any other known galaxy.

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured this striking image of an unusual galaxy with a bullseye structure, as nine rings surround its central point. Technically known as LEDA 1313424, the galaxy has more rings than any other known galaxy, and studying it is helping astronomers to learn how galaxies like this are created.

The rings are regions of higher density, where the galactic material has been pushed together by the rippling shocks. The clumping of the dust and gas triggers star formation, resulting in higher star density, which is why the rings glitter so brightly.

The Bullseye galaxy earned its nickname thanks to its wild number of rings. A smaller galaxy shot through its heart 50 million years ago to help create a cosmic wonder.

Scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope have spotted a record-smashing galaxy wrapped in 9 rings of stars — along with the dwarf galaxy that violently plunged through its center.