In a surprising twist, a recent study using data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission has found that the collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies is no longer a certainty. The Large Magellanic Cloud’s gravitational pull may be strong enough to divert the Milky Way out of Andromeda’s path, making a collision in the next 10 billion years uncertain. However, experts predict that the galaxies will eventually merge, but the exact timeline remains unclear.
Forecast for 6 months: The scientific community will continue to analyze new data from the Hubble Space Telescope to refine their understanding of the galaxies’ motion and masses.
Forecast for 1 year: The uncertainty surrounding the collision will lead to increased research and simulations to better understand the galaxies’ dynamics and potential outcomes.
Forecast for 5 years: New data from the Hubble Space Telescope and other missions will provide fresh constraints on the Milky Way’s orbital trajectory, potentially reducing uncertainties and providing a clearer picture of the galaxies’ fate.
Forecast for 10 years: The likelihood of a collision will become clearer, and experts may be able to provide a more accurate timeline for the galaxies’ eventual merger.
