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The Milky Way
(Illustration: CXC/M.Weiss) |
It is thought that the various components of our Galaxy were put together about 12 billion years ago through a succession of mergers that are continuing even today. Clouds of gas are observed to be falling into our galaxy, and recent evidence indicates that a small galaxy on the far side of the Milky Way is being torn apart and assimilated into the Galaxy.
These processes emphasize that the Milky Way is not an island universe, but a member of a small cluster of galaxies called the Local Group. The Local Group contains about 3 dozen known galaxies, clumped in two subgroups around two massive spiral galaxies --the Milky Way, and the Andromeda Galaxy. In several billion years it is possible that the Milky Way and Andromeda will collide and merge to form one huge elliptical galaxy, so enjoy the Milky Way while you can!
Next: Take a Trip Through the Milky Way
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