The collision of the Milky Way with the Andromeda Galaxy
colliding two galaxies
The collision of the Milky Way with the Andromeda Galaxy
Astronomers used the information provided by the orbiting observatory (Hubble) to estimate the exact date of the collision of our galaxy (the Milky Way) and the neighboring galaxy (Andromeda).
Scientists expect that the two galaxies - attracted to each other by their gravity - will collide after about four billion years, and they will appear as one entity.
(Milco Meda) two billion years after that event, that is, after six billion years.
What will happen to the solar system?
The position of our sun will be affected by this cosmic phenomenon, but scientists do not expect that the collision will lead to the annihilation of our solar system.
The shape of the stars in the sky when viewed from the ground will change dramatically, if humans will remain living on the surface of this planet after four billion years, of course.
History of Andromeda
"The Andromeda galaxy in the sky today appears to us as a blurred object discovered by navigators more than a thousand years ago," said Roland van der Marel of the Orbital Observatory Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, US. In particular, it is really exciting and wonderful to be able to scientifically predict when this enigmatic body will dominate our sun and our solar system."
light years
Scientists have known for a long time that the two galaxies are moving towards each other.
The Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies are separated by a distance of about 2.5 million light-years, but they are approaching each other at a speed of about 400,000 kilometers per hour. The information provided by the Hubble Observatory sheds light on how and when the cosmic collision occurred.
The orbiting observatory was able to measure the movement of specific parts of the Andromeda galaxy with an accuracy that was not possible in the past.
"It's important to know not only how Andromeda moves toward our galaxy, but its sideways motion as well, because that will decide whether it collides with us or whether our galaxy escapes," van der Marel said.
He said, "Astronomers have been trying for nearly a century to measure the lateral movement of the Andromeda galaxy, but they failed every time because the available techniques were not the required accuracy. But now, for the first time, we have been able to measure the extent of this lateral movement using the unique capabilities of the Hubble Observatory."
Simulated video of the Milky Way colliding with Andromeda duct
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