See Stunning Visual of Rare Galaxy Collision

The collision lit up the system like a Catherine wheel firework.

ByABC News
August 17, 2015, 4:32 PM
Researchers created this image highlighting areas of active star formation in the newly-discovered collisional ring galaxy called "Kathryn's Wheel."
Researchers created this image highlighting areas of active star formation in the newly-discovered collisional ring galaxy called "Kathryn's Wheel."
Quentin Parker/the scientific team

— -- A rare collision of two galaxies led to a beautiful, vibrant image, resembling fireworks.

This celestial system was caused when two galaxies of similar mass collided, according to the Royal Astronomical Society.

PHOTO: Researchers captured an image of a newly-discovered collisional ring galaxy called "Kathryn's Wheel" using the CTIO telescope in Chile.
Researchers captured an image of a newly-discovered collisional ring galaxy called "Kathryn's Wheel" using the CTIO telescope in Chile.

The shockwaves formed compressed pockets of gas emissions, which then illuminated the system with vibrant, intense colors -- like a Catherine wheel firework.

Astronomers nicknamed it "Kathryn’s Wheel" -- after the firework, and also after the wife of one of the team's lead professors, according to the Royal Astronomical Society.

The galaxy is 30 million light-years away, which is considered relatively close, the Royal Astronomical Society said.

ABC News' Lucien Bruggeman contributed to this report.