Today we are going tu learn about Andromeda galaxy
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the closest
large galaxy to the Milky Way and is one of a few galaxies that can be seen
unaided from the Earth. In approximately 4.5 billion years the Andromeda Galaxy
and the Milky Way are expected to collide and the result will be a giant
elliptical galaxy. Andromeda is accompanied by 14 dwarf galaxies, including
M32, M110, and possibly M33 (The Triangulum Galaxy).
Facts
About Andromeda
•While Andromeda is the largest galaxy in
the Local Cluster it may not be the most massive. The Milky May is thought to
contain more dark matter, which could make it much more massive.
•Since it is the nearest spiral galaxy to
us, astronomers use the Andromeda Galaxy to understand the origin and evolution
of such galaxies.
•The Andromeda Galaxy is approaching the
Milky Way at approximately 100 to 140 kilometres per second.
•The Andromeda Galaxy has a very crowded
double nucleus. Not only does it have a massive star cluster right at its
heart, but it also has at least one supermassive black hole hidden at the core.
•The spiral arms of the Andromeda Galaxy
are being distorted by gravitational interactions with two companion galaxies,
M32 and M110.
•The Andromeda Galaxy has at least two
spiral arms, plus a ring of dust that may have come from the smaller galaxy
M32. Astronomers think that it may have interacted more closely with Andromeda
several hundred million years ago, when M32 plunged through the heart of its
larger neighbor.
•There are at least 450 globular clusters
orbiting in and around the Andromeda Galaxy. Some of them are among the most
densely populated globulars ever seen.
•The Andromeda Galaxy is the most distant object
you can spot with the naked eye. You need a good spot away from bright lights
in order to see it
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