Galaxy Collision - Andromeda

Oil on canvas, 90x90cm - 35.4x35.4. 2012.... more

by Nicla Rossini

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Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

90.000 x 90.000 x 2.000 cm.

Title

Galaxy Collision - Andromeda

Artist

Nicla Rossini

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

Oil on canvas, 90x90cm - 35.4"x35.4". 2012.

It is commonly understood that the space as we know it (and to the extent we know it) is not permanent: the Sun, while consuming itself, is heading towards Vega with its planets; the planets are always changing their orbit towards it and it is not impossible that some of them will engage into a "death spiral" into the star.
We also know that Andromeda (Messier 31 - but Messier thought it was a nebula, not a galaxy) is probably heading towards the Milky Way and can create (but nothing is certain) a spectacular galaxy collision is expected in 4-5 billion years. The reason why scientists suggest a probable collision in the future is that Andromeda is one of the few blue-shifted galaxies (all of them in the Local Group).
We also know that by then the Sun will have probably taken its course into fading away: a yellow dwarf star does not explode, but becomes a red giant first and subsequently a white dwarf before exhausting its own life. This means that it should become 10% and 40% hotter and destroy the orbit of at least some planets of the solar system. Earth will be scorched by then, as the high temperature of the Sun is expected to destroy the presence of water and atmosphere in 4-5 billion years.
Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that the galaxy collision with Andromeda - if it happens at all - might happen earlier, i.e., in 3 billion years: if this is so, it is even possible that some of us will see this spectacular and yet terrible view - or something very close - in the night sky.

Uploaded

May 13th, 2012