Astronomers using the Gemini North telescope have captured the eroding remains of more than 100 dwarf galaxies as they transition into ultra-compact dwarf galaxies, objects with masses much greater than star clusters yet much smaller than dwarf galaxies.    In this podcast, NOIRLab’s Dr. Eric Peng discusses what these galaxies tell us about the formation of ultra compact dwarf galaxies.  Bios:  - Rob Sparks is in the Communications, Education and Engagement group at NSF’s NOIRLab in Tucson, Arizona. - Eric Peng is an Astronomer at NSF's National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), where he studies the evolution of nearby galaxies, and is Project Scientist for NOIRLab's US Extremely Large Telescope Program (US-ELTP). As part of the US-ELTP, he is working to make the next generation of large, optical-infrared ground-based telescopes a reality, and accessible to all.   Links: NOIRLab Press Release: https://noirlab.edu/public/news/noirlab2330/ NOIRLab social media channels can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/NOIRLabAstro https://twitter.com/NOIRLabAstro https://www.instagram.com/noirlabastro/ https://www.youtube.com/noirlabastro   We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.  Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!  Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.  Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.