Cannibalistic Galaxies
Billions of years just passed before your eyes
Our neighbouring galaxy Andromeda (M31) shows evidence of being a past cannibal and is 3 times the size of the Milky Way. We are predicted to be “consumed” within the next 7 billion years. “It would be a beautiful night sky, it will be quite spectacular.” -Author/Astrophysicist Mark Irwin.
The above gif is an artist simulation of what it would look like when the Milky Way is consumed by Andromeda, which the is closest spiral galaxy. It’s a fascinating image, too bad it’s not going to happen for another 5 to 7 billion years from now.
Scientist predict that the collision may not even disrupt our solar system, however life on Earth will have long since been eradicated due to “increasing luminosity of the Sun”.
Below is video showing a more detailed simulation of the collision:
(Source: jjennruth)
