Andromeda and the reason why it is classified as a cannibal galaxy according to research | NASA nnda-nnlt | the answers

What does it mean that Andromeda is a cannibal galaxy? Astronomers from the University of Sydney analyzed the behavior of this constellation over billions of years and the dangers it poses to the Milky Way. Earth.

The study, published in the journal Nature, was conducted by Dr Dougal Mackie with Professor Geraint Lewis of the University of Sydney’s Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

One of the aims of the research was to provide information about the creation and evolution of the Milky Way over billions of years. We seek to understand how these systems form and evolve.Mackey explained.

Why is Andromeda a “heartfelt galaxy”?

Research from the University of Sydney found that Andromeda has devoured several smaller galaxies, possibly in the past few billion years, with remnants found in large streams of stars.

“A few years ago, we discovered that just outside the Andromeda galaxy there was a signal in orbiting objects that the galaxy wasn’t ‘grazing’, but rather ate large amounts at two different times.”said lead author Professor Geraint Lewis from the University of Sydney.

Andromeda’s last “dinner” was in the last 5 billion years, while the oldest was closer to 8 to 10 billion years ago. The age of the universe is 13.8 billion yearswhich means that the two separate events occurred while the matter in the universe was closer together and more concentrated.

The research findings are based on the discovery in Andromeda of a structure of stars, known as globular clusters, that originated outside the galaxy.

What dangers does Andromeda pose to the milky method?

Astrophysicist Geraint Lewis, of the University of Sydney, notes that knowing Andromeda’s behavior helps understand the evolution of the Milky Way, which is home to the solar system.

Meanwhile, Dougal Mackie pointed it out The Milky Way is on a collision course with Andromeda in about 4 billion years.. Therefore, knowing what kind of monster our galaxy is up against helps discover its ultimate fate. “Andromeda has a much larger and more complex stellar halo than the Milky Way, which indicates that it has destroyed many more galaxies, possibly even larger ones.”he added.

In 2018, another study by an international team revealed that two million years ago Andromeda ended with a huge galaxy, sister to the Milky Way.

This study points to the fact that the Milky Way has grown and evolved over billions of years. “We are cosmic archaeologists, and instead of human history, we dig in the fossils of galaxies that died long ago.”said Professor Geraint Lewis.

More information about astronomy

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When traces of meteorites belonging to the same shower come along, they all seem to come from one area, the radiation point. In fact, all the particles enter the atmosphere in parallel, but because they are so far away from us, the perspective makes us see them coming from that single point. The constellation in which the radiation resides gives its name to rain. More information here.