Thursday, February 15, 2007

 

Andromeda-Milky Way collision


The Andromeda-Milky Way collision is a galaxy collision theory proposed by astronomers at the University of Toronto and Harvard University. In an article in the New Scientist, astronomers with the joint project have predicted that the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy will merge in what is called a "collision" in approximately three billion years. It is however unlikely that objects from each galaxy will actually collide, as galaxies are in fact somewhat diffuse. If the theory is correct, Andromeda bands and stars will be visible to a naked-eye viewer (if one exists on Earth at the time) in approximately three billion years.[1] Other scientists have however estimated that the collision may not occur for ten billion years.
The two galaxies have a similar history of origin, although they have evolved differently [2]. Andromeda is believed to have collided with at least one other galaxy in the past.[3].

Notes: ^ Young, Kelly. "Galactic collision — a taste of things to come?", New Scientist, 2006-08-26. ^ "Milky Way, Andromeda had similar origins" MSNBC 8:11 p.m. PT Feb 28, 2006; ^ "Andromeda involved in galactic collision" MSNBC 10:38 a.m. PT Jan 29, 2007

Bibliography: The Merger of the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies University of Toronto (website), John Dubinski, January 2001 (includes simulation); "Milky Way–Andromeda Galaxy Collision", Haydenplanetarium.org, John Dubinski (University of Toronto); "Milky Way, Andromeda had similar origins" MSNBC 8:11 p.m. PT Feb 28, 2006
"Andromeda involved in galactic collision" MSNBC 10:38 a.m. PT Jan 29, 2007; "Astrophysicist maps out our own galaxy's end"University of Toronto (website), by Janet Wong, April 14, 2000; "Crash Course: Simulating the Fate of Our Milky Way" By Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Staff Writer, posted: 07:00 am ET 07 May 2002; "Milky Way vs. Andromeda" NASA (website)
"Busted! Astronomers Nab Culprit in Galactic Hit-and-Run" Harvard University (website) Press Release No.: 06-28, October 18, 2006; This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Andromeda-Milky Way collision". Link may die if entry is finally removed or merged.

Comments:
Thanks for posting this. I will mark the date, February 16, 3,000,002,007 on my calendar. I would not want to miss it.
 
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