Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada, France and Germany have been studying the “cannibalistic history” of the Andromeda galaxy to determine just how violent it has been. The massive galaxy, which is 220,000 light-years across, twice the size of the Milky Way, has been consuming its surroundings for billions of years – and researchers fear the worst for our galaxy. By studying Andromeda, the researchers found that is has “eaten” smaller galaxies over the last few billion years.

After studying stars which are on the outer edges of Andromeda using data from the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey, the researchers found that the galaxy had been consuming smaller galaxies as far back 10 billion years, according to the study published in the journal Nature. The researchers were able to recreate Andromeda’s history by analysing dense groups of stars known as globular clusters. Dr Michelle Collins from the University of Surrey said: “Seeing two distinct meal times for Andromeda was quite surprising. “The way the globular clusters move around Andromeda suggest that this galaxy had a large breakfast around 10 billion years ago, and a big lunch perhaps only a few billion years ago.

Andromeda galaxy is on a path to CONSUME the Milky Way ‘Our home could be next’

Andromeda has a history of consuming smaller galaxies

“The two accretion events have come from strikingly different directions, as the two globular cluster populations are orbiting at right angles to one another. “This directionality may tell us something about the cosmic web within which Andromeda and the Milky Way are embedded, and gives us insight into the formation of our massive neighbour.” The researchers also add the Milky Way could be Andromeda’s next meal. Andromeda is approaching the Milky Way at around five million kilometres a year, and the researchers said in a press release that “they fear that our home galaxy could be next in about 4 billion years.” READ MORE: Black hole shock: Watch Milky Way’s central black hole FLARE

Andromeda is twice the size of the Milky Way

Geraint Lewis, an Astrophysicist at the University of Sydney, described how the Milky Way will look when it is consumed by its big brother. Mr Lewis said: “The collision will shake-up the Milky Way and it will be lit up like a Christmas Tree as new stars are created. “The gas available in this collision gets used up very quickly. New stars will form and die. The gas will be swallowed up by a supermassive black hole.” DON'T MISS

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"Our home galaxy could be next in about 4 billion years.”

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