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May 16, 2012
Our Evolving Universe
A close-up image of two galaxies colliding.
Galaxies Collide and Disappear
1 trillion years in the future

Between 10 million and 100 trillion years after the Big Bang (including the present day), the universe has been dominated by stars burning hydrogen and other elements at their cores.

Astronomers predict that 3 billion years from now, our galaxy will be consumed by one of its hulking neighbors, Andromeda, currently 2.2 million light years away. The result will either be one enormous galaxy or a titanic explosion that will hurl millions of stars, like our sun, into space.

Scientists assume that if the universe continues to expand, it will gradually deteriotate.

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Picture(s): DCI | NASA |

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