Category: Space > Collisions
One of the most intriguing phenomena in our galaxy is the periodic occurrence of "galactic collisions." While the vastness of space makes it seem like galaxies are isolated entities, they are actually in constant motion and often find themselves on a collision course. The Milky Way, our home galaxy, is on a collision trajectory with the Andromeda Galaxy, which is expected to occur in about 4.5 billion years. When these galaxies collide, they will not crash in the traditional sense due to the immense distances between stars; instead, their gravitational interactions will reshape the structure of both galaxies, triggering bursts of star formation as gas clouds collide and compress. This cosmic dance of galactic mergers and interactions plays a critical role in the evolution of galaxies and the universe at large, contributing to the dynamic and ever-changing cosmos we observe today.