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Posted: 9/26/2015 10:17:09 PM EDT



M31 versus M33
Image Credit & Copyright: Malcolm Park (North York Astronomical Association)


Explanation: Separated by about 14 degrees (28 Full Moons) in planet Earth's sky, spiral galaxies M31 at left, and M33 are both large members of the Local Group, along with our own Milky Way galaxy. This narrow- and wide-angle, multi-camera composite finds details of spiral structure in both, while the massive neighboring galaxies seem to be balanced in starry fields either side of bright Mirach, beta star in the constellation Andromeda. Mirach is just 200 light-years from the Sun. But M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, is really 2.5 million light-years distant and M33, the Triangulum Galaxy, is also about 3 million light years away. Although they look far apart, M31 and M33 are engaged in a gravitational struggle. In fact, radio astronomers have found indications of a bridge of neutral hydrogen gas that could connect the two, evidence of a closer encounter in the past. Based on measurements, gravitational simulations currently predict that the Milky Way, M31, and M33 will all undergo mutual close encounters and potentially mergers, billions of years in the future.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Link Posted: 9/26/2015 10:33:56 PM EDT
[#1]
When I see pictures like this, I'm reminded of these words to my favorite hymn:

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Link Posted: 9/26/2015 10:34:45 PM EDT
[#2]
We are just a spec.
Link Posted: 9/26/2015 10:37:51 PM EDT
[#3]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
When I see pictures like this, I'm reminded of these words to my favorite hymn:

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
View Quote


Well said.

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