Merging galaxies occur when two or more galaxies come close enough to each other that their gravitational forces pull them together. This process can take millions to billions of years and often results in the formation of a new, larger galaxy. During this interaction, stars within the galaxies can collide, and gas and dust can be compressed, leading to new star formation. As galaxies merge, their shapes can change dramatically. For example, spiral galaxies like Milky Way may become more elliptical in shape. The merging process can also trigger bursts of star formation, creating regions of intense brightness. Eventually, the galaxies settle into a stable configuration, often resulting in a single, larger galaxy.