Milky Way Galaxy Doomed to Head-On Crash with Andromeda (We'Re DooMed In 4 billion years Alert!! )

SPACE.com ^ | 5/31/12 | Mike Wall

[NormsRevenge]

Four billion years from now, the Milky Way galaxy as we know it will cease to exist.

Our Milky Way is bound for a head-on collision with the similar-sized Andromeda galaxy, researchers announced today (May 31). Over time, the huge galactic smashup will create an entirely new hybrid galaxy, one likely bearing an elliptical shape rather than the Milky Way's trademark spiral-armed disk.

"We do know of other galaxies in the local universe around us that are in the process of colliding and merging," Roeland van der Marel, of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, told reporters today. "However, what makes the future merger of the Andromeda galaxy and the Milky Way so special is that it will happen to us."

Astronomers have long known that the Milky Way and Andromeda, which is also known as M31, are barrelling toward one another at a speed of about 250,000 mph (400,000 kph). They have also long suspected that the two galaxies may slam into each other billions of years down the road. ..

However, such discussions of the future galactic crash have always remained somewhat speculative, because no one had managed to measure Andromeda's sideways motion — a key component of that galaxy's path through space.

But that's no longer the case.

[NormsRevenge]

You can trust that FEMA is on it.. and the EPA which will declare it a SuPerFund site.

[Jack Hydrazine]

There’s also a possibility we could get hit by the Triangulum Galaxy, too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangulum_Galaxy

So we could get a the old one-two punch!

[Bryanw92]

Let’s not get too excited. Maybe this will a good collision like the time the guy with the chocolate bar collided with the guy eating a jar of peanut butter.

[UCANSEE2]

SO... our planet is moving at 250,000mph +/- the speed of our solar system, and +/- the speed of our planet around the Sun.

Still... it's a pretty smooth ride.

[Norm Lenhart]

We have no time to waste. If we reduce our carbon footprint now, that change will effect the rotation of our galaxy and over 4 billion years, may be just enough to avoid the collision. But we must act NOW!!! We’re running out of time!!!!

...For the children...

[UCANSEE2]

Which brings up a question.

If all objects in the Universe are moving, exactly what stationary object are they basing speed measurements on?

[UCANSEE2]

Please buy some 'galaxy' credits from me now, and in four billion Years, I will prevent the galaxies from colliding.

[eclecticEel]

NOW ... are we ready to stop driving our SUV’s?

[cripplecreek]

Our Milky Way is bound for a head-on collision with the similar-sized Andromeda galaxy, researchers announced today (May 31).

I tell ya, science writers should have at least some knowledge of the subjects they write on. The impending galactic collision has been common knowledge for decades.

[Rio]

That Mayan calendar-chiseler was on the right track, but off by a few years.

[Old North State]

If all objects in the Universe are moving, exactly what stationary object are they basing speed measurements on?

Good question. It’s all relative.

Albert E.

[doorgunner69]

Well, if we keep our eyes peeled, might see some life as Andromeda goes rumbling by.

[Delta 21]

My 8th grade science teacher couldn’t answer that one either.

[mikrofon]

I, for one, will welcome our new Kelvan overlords...

[I Drive Too Fast]

The Mayan calendar was right. The world galaxy will end on 12/21/ 4000002012.

[Ken H]

‘This universe ain’t big enough for both of us.’

[lurk]

And just when we’re re-doing our kitchen countertops.

[Beatthedrum]

Don’t lose any sleep over this, wondering what will become of mankind. Mankind will be long gone, I would give even money on 150 years.

[Patriot Babe]

So does this mean I don’t have to cancel any future appointments? or clean house? etc.

[murron]

Just as I was about to get my papers in order, I read that it’s 4 billion years from now. I wonder if the Mayan calendar prediction will have any effect on this? Sounds like we’re doomed no matter what!