The secret of the bulge: A gorgeous partially digested galaxy in the Milky Way’s core

There are times I just want to post a pretty astronomical image, something that delights the eyes and gives a sense of wonder about the sky.

The problem with this — or “problem,” I should say — is that there’s no such thing as just a pretty picture. In every case, they wind up leading to some interesting cosmic insight. 

But this time it’s more. This particular pretty picture may hold the key to how one of the critical components of our Milky Way galaxy formed.

So first, the eye candy: