A new study suggests the Milky Way galaxy may have collided with another galaxy much later than previously believed, challenging long-held theories. Researchers found evidence of a collision that occurred only one to two billion years ago, rather than the previously thought eight to 11 billion years ago.
Key Points
Study suggests Milky Way collided with another galaxy 1-2 billion years ago
Findings challenge previous belief that collision happened 8-11 billion years ago
Observations from Gaia space observatory support the new timeline
Pros
Challenges long-held theories about the history of the Milky Way galaxy
Provides new insights into galaxy formation and evolution
Uses cutting-edge techniques and simulations to support findings
Cons
Relies on a single cosmological simulation, which may not capture all complexities
Limited to observations within a specific range, which may not show the full picture
Up-sampling process used in data analysis could introduce biases