What happens when two large galaxies collide? 🔔Follow: @inspiredstarlab for more! A gradual waltz of stars and gas choreographed by gravity. Any image of a galactic collision captures just one instant in a billion year process. This simulation shows the entire collision sequence, and compares it with numerous different interacting galaxies observed by the Hubble Space Telescope. As this atlas of composite images illustrate, galaxy collisions produce a remarkable variety of intricate structures.

This celestial drama, known as the Andromeda-Milky Way collision, is a cosmic dance on an astronomical scale. Over the course of billions of years, these colossal galaxies have been hurtling toward each other through the vastness of space. As they draw closer, gravitational forces will dramatically alter the structure of both galaxies, leading to the birth of new stars and the reconfiguration of cosmic landscapes. The collision promises a breathtaking display of celestial fireworks, with stars a