06/08/2012

What Happens When Two Galaxies Collide?

In four billion years, the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies will collide, according to a study in the Astrophysical Journal. Roeland van der Marel, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute, talks about how this discovery was made, and the fate of our solar system.

In the SciFri Snack: Stargazers, be on the lookout. Astronomer Roeland van der Marel says that when the Milky Way collides with the Andromeda Galaxy, you’re in for one heck of a view — and you only have 4 billion years to prepare. Check out more SciFri Snacks — and join a conversation about what you’ve heard — at Soundcloud.

Segment Guests

Roeland van der Marel

Roeland van der Marel is an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute and an adjunct professor at John Hopkins University. He is based in Baltimore, Maryland.