Galactic collision can shift the solar system

Galactic collision can shift the solar system

The Swirl Galaxy (M51a) and the neighboring galaxy (M51b). This photo from the Hubble Space Telescope demonstrates the fusion of two galaxies that resemble the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud.

A new study shows that the Large Magellanic Cloud is able to crash into the Milky Way in 2 billion years. This collision may occur earlier than the observed merger of the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, which will converge with ours in 8 billion years. If a shock event with the Large Magellanic Cloud occurs, it can awaken a sleeping black hole in our galaxy, which will begin to suck in the plunging gas and grow in size.

In the process of feeding, the active black hole throws out high-energy rays. These cosmic emissions are unlikely to affect earthly life, but there is a possibility that during the initial collision the Solar System will change its position.

Galaxies, like the Milky Way, are surrounded by a group of smaller satellite galaxies orbiting around. Usually they live quietly and peacefully for billions. But from time to time they approach, collide and are absorbed by a larger neighbor.

Galactic collision can shift the solar system

On the bright frame from the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope, the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, flaunts

The Large Magellanic Cloud is the brightest satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, which entered our area only 1.5 billion years ago. It is located at a distance of 163,000 light years from our galaxy. Astronomers believed that it would revolve around the Milky Way for billions of years or increase its speed and distance.

However, recent measurements show that in the Large Magellanic Cloud, dark matter is almost twice as large as previously thought. Since the mass is greater than expected, the galaxy quickly loses energy and is doomed to collide with ours. Scientists used the EAGLE supercomputer simulation to predict collisions.

Of course, 2 billion years is a long time when compared with human life, but on a cosmic scale this is a small segment. Upon absorption, the Large Magellanic Cloud will begin to collapse, affect the Milky Way and activate the central black hole, which will become a quasar. This will lead to the creation of powerful high-energy jets. Most likely, the Solar System will be elsewhere in interstellar space. Researchers believe that future people are waiting for a stunner. It is important to understand that our Universe is constantly evolving due to violent and catastrophic events. Apart from the possible displacement of the solar system, our descendants will observe an amazing cosmic firework when the awakened supermassive black hole in the center starts to release incredibly bright jets.

In this process, there is nothing surprising, because the Milky Way has already swallowed several small galaxies. But Andromeda was lucky to have dinner with galaxies, whose weight is almost 30 times greater than those that hit the dinner table to the Milky Way.

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