The Fairy Galaxy will not

The new method used to measure the masses of galaxies has allowed astronomers to breathe a sigh of relief.

It is about the same size as us, not two or three times bigger than imagined. This means that by the time two galaxies merge about 4 billion years ago, the Milky Way will not be swallowed up by galaxies like computer models ever predicted.

The Milky Way and the Fairytale are expected to merge in 4 billion years.(PHOTO: NASA / ESA).

As reported in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the team of astronomer Prajwal Kafle of the International Center for Astronomical Radio Research (ICRAR), based in Perth (Australia), measured it. The mass of the galaxies is about 800 billion times the Sun.

Meanwhile, the Milky Way ranges from 800 to 1,200 billion times. Based on the new information, two galaxies separated by about 2.5 million light-years can be similar in size.

The Milky Way and the Fairy Maiden are the two largest galaxies in the so-called 'Local Group' , consisting of just over 30 galaxies stretching over 10 million light-years in diameter. Kafle experts say new knowledge has completely changed the understanding of mankind about this group, and in the future we may have to rebuild new models if we can imagine what could happen. when two galaxies merge.

According to the US Aerospace Agency (NASA), at the time of consolidation, it seems unlikely that the type of stars would collide with each other. However, they will be thrown into other orbits before. Models show that the solar system may be farther away from the galaxy center than it is today.

Earlier, the Fairies were considered the 'giants' of the group, who could threaten the Milky Way's survival. This is our galaxy's nearest neighbor, belonging to one of the 10 galaxies visible from the earth with the naked eye.