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How do computers help astronomers understand what happens when galaxies collide?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
By translating the math model of a galaxies and a galaxy collisions into a simulation. And theoritically observe the process by experimenting with the variables.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
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Can galaxies steal stars from one another?
Not generally, but galaxies do collide sometimes. In fact, the Andromeda Galaxy will probably collide with the Milky Way in about 3 billion years or so. In the collision, stars are often "flung" from one galaxy to the other, or thrown out of the original galaxy entirely. Follow the link below to see what happens when galaxies collide!
What evidence do you have that galaxies collide with one another?
Visual evedence from telescopes. See related link for a pictorial
Nearby galaxies may not show a redshift?
Nearby galaxies won't show much of a redshift, because they aren't moving away very quickly - or at all. For example, the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, is actually getting closer - and will collide with the Milky Way in about 3 billion years.
Why do asteroids and meteorites rarely collide with earth?
In a massive galactic collision, the stars much further apart than the water droplets in a rain cloud; the odds that any two stars would collide would be astronomical. However, the number of stars IS "astronomical", in the trillions for a big galaxy like the Milky Way and Andromeda, which WILL collide in about 4 billion years. So it's very possible that at least two such stars will collide, with catastrophic results; in all likelihood, the two stars would start to merge and promptly go nova, destroying them. But as a general rule, stars don't collide.
What will happen to the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies 4 billion years from now?
Four billion years from now, our galaxy, the Milky Way, will collide with our large spiraled neighbor, Andromeda.
Do galaxies ever meet?
Yes. Galaxies do sometimes collide.
What happens when two spiral galaxies collide with each other?
You tend to end up with irregular galaxies
Can galaxies steal stars from one another?
Not generally, but galaxies do collide sometimes. In fact, the Andromeda Galaxy will probably collide with the Milky Way in about 3 billion years or so. In the collision, stars are often "flung" from one galaxy to the other, or thrown out of the original galaxy entirely. Follow the link below to see what happens when galaxies collide!
What is one way that an elliptical galaxy differs from the other types of galaxies?
Elliptical galaxies are large blob shaped galaxies that most galaxies will eventually look like. Elliptical galaxies are what happens when two or more large galaxies collide and coalesce.
What happens if 10 galaxies collide into each other at the same timeHow big would the supernova be?
When galaxies "collide", the individual stars do not actually smash together; they're far enough apart that they mostly slip past each other.
What is a merging galaxy?
Not "a" merging galaxy - merging galaxies. Sometimes two (or even more) galaxies collide, and eventually combine (i.e., "merge") into a single galaxy.
When will Andromeda Galaxy collide?
The Milky Way galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy are moving towards each other that a rate that will make them "collide" in about three and a quarter billion years. "Collide" is in quotes, because galaxies are mostly empty space, so it's fairly unlikely that any of the individual stars making up the two galaxies will physically touch as a result of the "collision"; instead, the two galaxies will just merge into a larger one.
What evidence do you have that galaxies collide with one another?
Visual evedence from telescopes. See related link for a pictorial
Since the universe is thought to be expanding why do galaxies collide?
Because although the universe is expanding, the galaxies within it are grouped into clusters. These clusters are still under the influence of gravity, so slowly, over many years, they are attracted towards each other and can collide with one another.
What force draws two galaxies towards each other?
The force that draws two galaxies towards each other is gravity. The gravitational force between the two galaxies pulls them towards each other and can cause them to collide or interact.
When two galaxies collide does this destroy the black holes within them?
Not by a long shot. There are a few different possible outcomes, but if the galaxies remain together if anything the black hole you end up with is bigger.
When galaxies collideno spectacular explosions take placethe two galaxies simply pass through each otherexplain why this is so?
A galaxy is 99.999% empty space; they aren't actually solid. The only time you would see a "spectacular explosion" would be if individual stars within the galaxies were to collide. Which isn't to say that they would pass right through each other; the one thing each galaxy does have is what keeps it together as a galaxy; gravity. When two galaxies collide (which apparently is not particularly uncommon; we have photos of several sets of galaxies that are even now in the middle of their own collisions) each star within the galaxies falls under the gravitational influence of not only the other stars in their own galaxy but also all the gravity of all the stars in the other galaxy. The stars are bent away from their normal paths, each deflecting the other, until they swirl together - or are flung away from the galaxy and into deep space. In fact, many astronomers claim to have identified the traces of at least a few other galaxies within our own; the Milky Way has apparently swallowed some other galaxies.
