Astronomers have discovered a rare galaxy with nine distinct rings, named the Bullseye Galaxy (LEDA 1313424). Found using Hubble Space Telescope and Keck Observatory, it shows signs of a past collision with a smaller blue dwarf galaxy. This cosmic interaction likely shaped its rings and may help scientists understand giant low surface brightness (GLSB) galaxies—critical for studying dark matter.

BulletsIn

• Galaxy with 9 rings discovered, named Bullseye Galaxy (LEDA 1313424)
• Hubble, Keck confirmed 9 rings; 10th may have existed but faded
• Rings formed after blue dwarf galaxy passed through Bullseye ~50 million years ago
• Collision caused gas ripples, triggered star formation in rings
• Bullseye is 2.5x larger than Milky Way, spans 250,000 light-years
• Galaxy shows early signs of becoming a GLSB galaxy
• GLSBs have massive hydrogen disks, low star formation, rich in dark matter
• Possible evidence for link between ring galaxies and GLSBs
• Scientists hope Bullseye offers insight into dark matter spread
• More study needed to confirm transition into GLSB galaxy