Can collisions of galaxies occur? What happens when galaxies collide? Collision of black holes
> > > Collision of the Milky WayFind out, Who will the Milky Way collide with?: distance from neighboring galaxies, approach and merger with Andromeda, observations of the Hubble telescope, what will happen to us.
Scientists are convinced that in 4 billion years the Milky Way will lose its usual shape, as it will collide with the Andromeda galaxy. As a result, we will get a new giant hybrid galaxy. Most likely, it will form in the form of an ellipse.
On the one hand, this is not something special. Even now, in the vast expanses of space, such galactic mergers can be observed. But let's not forget that this event concerns our home (the solar system and the Earth).
The future collision of the Milky Way and Andromeda is not considered shocking news, as scientists have known about this for a long time. The galaxies are approaching at a speed of 400,000 km/h. But before it was just a guess, because no one was able to measure the lateral movement. Now everything has changed.
For 7 years, researchers have been using the Hubble Space Telescope to observe specific areas of a neighboring galaxy. They found out that Andromeda would not pass by, but was aimed at a head-on collision. The first impact will occur in 4 billion years, and the merger process will be completed in 6 billion years.
Space Collision of the Milky Way
Our galaxy has never experienced anything like this in the entire period of its existence (13.5 billion years). Of course, it has previously swallowed dwarf galaxies, but this is the first contact with such a large object.
There is no point in worrying about your safety, since nothing threatens either our planet or ours. We are talking about the passage of two massive spaces, whose objects are scattered over large distances. That is, the probability of a collision of stars is minimal. But we are destined to change our place of residence, as the new galaxy will look different. Most likely, the system will be much further from the core.
What would the night sky look like after such a collision?
The collision of the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies will change what we are used to seeing in the night sky. If after 3.75 billion years humanity continues to exist, then people are destined to observe bright areas of star formation in the new galaxy. After 7 billion years, the brightest core of the elliptical giant will become dominant. But let's not forget that at that moment it should go into the stage of a red giant and we may simply not catch this sight.
The use of Hubble made it possible to learn not only to look into the past, but also to model the future for which the Universe is preparing us. Therefore, we now know not only where we came from, but also where we are going.
→As you know, galaxies form clusters. A group of galaxies, which includes, for example, the Milky Way, is called the Local Group and includes about 30 galaxies. The two largest of these are the aforementioned Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy, or M31. These two and other galaxies revolve around the center of mass of the Local Group. The width of the disk of the Milky Way is approximately 100 thousand light years. Two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye from the Southern Hemisphere - these are the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, named after the 16th-century Portuguese traveler Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first inhabitant of the Northern Hemisphere to see them in the starry sky. These galaxies look like two fuzzy bright spots, but they are made up of billions of stars. The Large Magellanic Cloud is at a distance of 170 thousand light years from us, the Small Magellanic Cloud is at a distance of 190 thousand years. These are irregular galaxies located near our own, they look fragmented and deformed. Near the boundaries of the group there are a number of isolated, smaller galaxies. The largest of these is the Triangulum Galaxy, or MZZ. The Local Group itself is one of the many clusters of galaxies that make up the Virgo Supercluster.
It is believed that in 3 billion years the two aforementioned large galaxies, the Milky Way and Andromeda, will collide. They will merge into one large galaxy, possibly an elliptical one. Now the Milky Way and Andromeda are approaching each other, moving at a speed of 300 km / s relative to the Sun. Since the angular velocity of the Andromeda galaxy is unknown, scientists cannot say exactly when this collision will occur, or if it will occur at all. Perhaps the galaxies will just get closer to each other.
The collision hypothesis was put forward in 1959, but only recently thanks to computer simulations have scientists been able to understand what this process would look like. Andromeda and the Milky Way resemble the galaxies NGC 2207 and 1C 2163 from afar. Over time, they will look similar to the Antennae galaxy, albeit with some differences. These two clusters would move away from each other until, under the influence of the force of mutual attraction, they began to converge and eventually collided. As a result, a cluster of new stars and very massive black holes would form at the centers of both galaxies, which would eventually merge into one, forming an elliptical galaxy. This new galaxy, which is likely to form in the future, has been named Milkomeda. With the help of mathematical models, we can even determine its shape.
The collision of the Milky Way and Andromeda should occur in 3 billion years. By that time, the abundance of gas in these galaxies will be low, and as a result, not as many new stars will form as one might expect. Milkomeda will become a giant elliptical galaxy, but the density of its center will be much less than usual. Perhaps only Milkomeda and its satellite galaxies will remain from the Local Group. Most likely, after the collision, our Sun will be in the galactic halo of Milkomeda. In 3 billion years, the Sun will be in the main sequence. According to evolutionary models, life on Earth will have disappeared by then, as the Sun will shine much brighter than it does now.
Andromeda is a galaxy also known as M31 and NGC224. It is a spiral formation located at a distance of approximately 780 kp (2.5 million from the Earth.
Andromeda is the galaxy closest to the Milky Way. It is named after the mythical princess of the same name. Observations in 2006 led to the conclusion that there are about a trillion stars - at least twice as many as in the Milky Way, where there are about 200 - 400 billion of them. Scientists believe that the collision of the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy will happen in about 3.75 billion years, and as a result a giant elliptical or disk galaxy will be formed. But more on that later. First, let's find out what the "mythical princess" looks like.
The picture shows Andromeda. The galaxy has blue and white stripes. They form rings around it and shelter hot red-hot giant stars. Dark blue-gray bands contrast sharply against these bright rings and show areas where star formation is just beginning in dense cloud cocoons. When viewed in the visible spectrum, Andromeda's rings look more like spiral arms. In the ultraviolet range, these formations rather resemble ring structures. They were previously discovered by the NASA telescope. Astronomers believe that these rings indicate the formation of a galaxy as a result of a collision with a neighboring one more than 200 million years ago.
Moons of Andromeda
Like the Milky Way, Andromeda has a number of dwarf satellites, 14 of which have already been discovered. The most famous are M32 and M110. Of course, it is unlikely that the stars of each of the galaxies will collide with each other, since the distances between them are very large. About what will actually happen, scientists still have a rather vague idea. But a name has already been invented for the future newborn. Mlekomed - this is the name of the unborn giant galaxy scientists.
Star Collisions
Andromeda is a galaxy with 1 trillion stars (10 12), and the Milky Way - 1 billion (3 * 10 11). However, the chance of a collision of celestial bodies is negligible, since there is a huge distance between them. For example, the nearest star to the Sun, Proxima Centauri, is located at a distance of 4.2 light years (4 * 10 13 km), or 30 million (3 * 10 7) diameters of the Sun. Imagine that our star is a table tennis ball. Then Proxima Centauri will look like a pea, located at a distance of 1100 km from it, and the Milky Way itself will extend in breadth for 30 million km. Even the stars in the center of the galaxy (namely, where their largest cluster) are located at intervals of 160 billion (1.6 * 10 11) km. It's like one table tennis ball for every 3.2 km. Therefore, the chance that any two stars will collide during a merger of galaxies is extremely small.
Collision of black holes
The Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way have a central Sagittarius A (3.6*10 6 solar masses) and an object inside the P2 cluster of the Galactic Core. These black holes will converge at a point near the center of the newly formed galaxy, transferring orbital energy to the stars, which will move to higher trajectories over time. The above process can take millions of years. When the black holes come within one light-year of each other, they will start emitting gravitational waves. Orbital energy will become even more powerful until the fusion is complete. Based on simulation data from 2006, the Earth may first be thrown almost to the very center of the newly formed galaxy, then pass near one of the black holes and be erupted outside of Mlecomeda.
Confirmation of the theory
The Andromeda Galaxy is approaching us at a speed of about 110 km per second. Up until 2012, there was no way to know if a collision would occur or not. To conclude that it is almost inevitable, the Hubble Space Telescope helped scientists. After tracking the movements of Andromeda from 2002 to 2010, it was concluded that the collision would occur in about 4 billion years.
Similar phenomena are widespread in space. For example, Andromeda is believed to have interacted with at least one galaxy in the past. And some dwarf galaxies, such as SagDEG, continue to collide with the Milky Way, creating a single formation.
Research also indicates that M33, or the Triangulum Galaxy, the third largest and brightest member of the Local Group, will also participate in this event. Its most likely fate will be the entry into orbit of the object formed after the merger, and in the distant future - the final merger. However, a collision of M33 with the Milky Way before Andromeda approaches, or our Solar System is thrown out of the Local Group, is ruled out.
The fate of the solar system
Scientists from Harvard argue that the timing of the merging of galaxies will depend on the tangential speed of Andromeda. Based on the calculations, they concluded that there is a 50% chance that during the merger the Solar System will be thrown back to a distance three times the current distance to the center of the Milky Way. It is not known exactly how the Andromeda galaxy will behave. Planet Earth is also under threat. Scientists say there is a 12% chance that we will be thrown out of our former "home" some time after the collision. But this event, most likely, will not produce strong adverse effects on the Solar System, and celestial bodies will not be destroyed.
If we exclude planetary engineering, then by the time the surface of the Earth will be very hot and there will be no liquid water left on it, and hence no life.
Possible side effects
When two spiral galaxies merge, the hydrogen present in their disks contracts. The formation of new stars begins. For example, this can be observed in the interacting galaxy NGC 4039, otherwise known as "Antennas". In the event of a merger between Andromeda and the Milky Way, it is believed that there will be little gas left on their disks. Star formation will not be as intense, although the birth of a quasar is quite likely.
Merging result
The galaxy formed during the merger is tentatively called Mlecomed by scientists. The simulation result shows that the resulting object will have an elliptical shape. Its center will have a lower density of stars than modern elliptical galaxies. But a disk form is also likely. Much will depend on how much gas remains within the Milky Way and Andromeda. In the near future, the rest will merge into one object, and this will mean the beginning of a new evolutionary stage.
Facts about Andromeda
- Andromeda is the largest galaxy in the Local Group. But probably not the most massive. Scientists suggest that more is concentrated in the Milky Way and this is what makes our galaxy more massive.
- Scientists are exploring Andromeda in order to understand the origin and evolution of formations like it, because it is the closest spiral galaxy to us.
- Andromeda looks amazing from Earth. Many even manage to photograph it.
- Andromeda has a very dense galactic core. Not only are huge stars located at its center, but there is also at least one supermassive black hole hidden in the core.
- Its spiral arms were bent as a result of gravitational interaction with two neighboring galaxies: M32 and M110.
- There are at least 450 globular star clusters orbiting inside Andromeda. Among them are some of the densest that have been found.
- The Andromeda Galaxy is the most distant object that can be seen with the naked eye. You will need a good vantage point and a minimum of bright light.
In conclusion, I would like to advise readers to raise their eyes to the starry sky more often. It keeps a lot of new and unknown. Find some free time to watch space this weekend. The Andromeda Galaxy in the sky is a sight to behold.
9:55 08/04/20160 👁 692
While most galaxies are rushing away from us as a result of expansion, the Local Group is gravitationally bound to each other, and will continue to interact over the coming years.
When ours was born, 4.7 billion years ago, Andromeda and the Milky Way were 4.2 million light-years apart. As a result of the steady movement over billions of years, they shortened the distance between each other by 1.6 million light years and clearly headed for a collision.
The collision of the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is expected to happen in about four billion years. As with all such collisions, it is unlikely that objects like , contained in each galaxy, will actually collide with each other due to the low concentration of matter in galaxies and the extreme distance of objects from each other.
Based on calculations, the stars and gas of the Andromeda galaxy will be visible to the naked eye in about three billion years. As a result of the collision, the galaxies will merge into one giant galaxy within about one to two billion years. Various names have been proposed for the newly formed galaxy, such as Mlekomed.
At the moment, it is not known exactly whether a collision will occur or not. It is known that the Andromeda galaxy is approaching the Milky Way at a speed of about 120 km / s, but it is not yet possible to find out whether a collision will occur or whether the galaxies will simply disperse.
According to data published in September 2014, according to one of the models, in 4 billion years the Milky Way will "swallow" the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, and in 5 billion years it will itself be absorbed by the Andromeda Nebula.
The manifestations of this collision will occur extremely slowly and may not be seen at all with the naked eye. The likelihood of any direct impact on the Sun is low. But on the other hand, it is possible that during the collision, gravity will be completely thrown out of the new galaxy and become a wandering intergalactic object.
This will not cause negative consequences for our system, except for the gradual disappearance of the beautiful starry sky. The probability of escape from the disk of the Milky Way during the first stage of the collision is today estimated at 12%, and the probability of capture by Andromeda at 3%. By that time, the evolution of the Sun and its subsequent transformation into in 5-6 billion years will be much more important for life on Earth.
Based on materials
> Collision of galaxies. Computer 3D model
Consider quality 3D galaxy collision model: aftermath simulation, online merger process, central black hole collision.
Who knows how many unsolved secrets and mysteries are hidden in the unknown and boundless space? People are not destined to unravel them to the end, even knowledge about the native Solar System is rather limited, it is just a speck of dust floating surrounded by endless star clusters. Mankind has been striving for many thousands of years to learn all the secrets of the Universe, it even managed to comprehend some truths, but this knowledge is too limited and superficial.
Numerous slowly float in cold space, sometimes there are clashes, the scale of which is even difficult to imagine for an ordinary person. These are, without exaggeration, phenomena of universal magnitude and significance, hardly comparable in their spectacularity to anything in this world.
Consequences of the collision of galaxies
When two galaxies collide, the release of energy that accompanies this process cannot be comprehended by the human mind. As a result, two giants, merged into one, begin to glow with redoubled power. This event is extremely long from a human point of view and can last several billion years - naturally, for this reason, scientists are deprived of the opportunity to observe the entire merger process from the very beginning to its completion. Fortunately, modern computer technology allows us to simulate the moment galaxy collisions shortening it by hundreds of thousands of times.
Galaxy collision model on computer monitor
Attention! Use the mouse pointer to change the angle.
Everyone now has the opportunity to admire the interactive process of the collision of galaxies in 3D resolution. The new application allows you to observe the attraction of two galactic nuclei, which are, as a result of which a fascinating cosmic round dance begins. A number of star systems leave the newly formed galaxy and continue their endless journey in the Universe - the program shows them as colored dots.
Animated image of the collision of galaxies
Controlling a program that simulates a collision of galaxies
All navigation of the program, which simulates the collision of galaxies, is carried out using the mouse - you can change the angle by moving it in the program window, the scale is changed by simply moving the wheel. To reset the simulation and start the process again, click the mouse button.
This application allows you to plunge deeper into the secrets of the universe and even imagine the possible global consequences of the collision of two giants - and the Milky Way.
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28.03.2023
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