The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has been taking pictures of what researchers call a giant elliptical galaxy, NGC 1132. New pictures suggest it is the result of numerous galaxy collisions which have piled up to create an unnusually shiny galaxy and what they call a cosmic fossil. NGC 1132 is surrounded by an enormous area of dark matter and has a strong x-ray glow from an abundance of hot gas--both of which are characteristic of groups of galaxies rather than a single one. Where these types of galactic fossils come from is still under question but it's an interesting article worth reading.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080205115813.htm
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