What Is a Triple-Galaxy Merger and How Does It Work? A triple-galaxy merger is when three galaxies are colliding and will eventually combine into one larger galaxy. It happens through gravity, as tidal forces and dynamical friction drain orbital energy, funnel gas inward, and pull the galaxies and their central supermassive black holes together over hundreds of millions of years. In rare cases, all three black holes are active at once, producing radio jets that reveal a triple active galactic nucleus.

Three galaxies on a collision course can fuel a ravenous black hole, light up radio jets, and merge into one. Explore the chaos and the science—what surprises you most about triple mergers? #ActiveGalacticNucleus #GalaxyCollision #RadioJets #SupermassiveBlackHole #TripleGalaxyMerger