Impending Galactic crash could rip open the Black Hole at the Milky Way’s center

The end of the Milky Way as we know it may come a few billion years ahead of schedule.

According to a new paper published Jan. 4 in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, our home galaxy appears to be on a crash course with one of its nearest satellites, the spiral of stars known as the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).

This cosmic crash, modeled in lovely and terrifying detail by a team of astrophysicists at Durham University in the U.K., could begin as soon as 2 billion years from now — roughly 2 billion to 3 billion years sooner than the long-anticipated collision between the Milky Way and its nearest cosmic neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy. (Adjust your doomsday clocks accordingly.)

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> technology

Impending Galactic crash could rip open the Black Hole at the Milky Way’s center

This could actually treat future Earthlings to "a spectacular display of cosmic fireworks"

Ask me anything

> Latest Stories

Google highlights ProtoThema as an international case study for Artificial Intelligence use

Telephone communication between Mitsotakis and the President of Lebanon, what they discussed

Google showcases ProtoThema as an international case study for the use of Artificial Intelligence

Gerapetritis: Calm waters are not an end in themselves; every Greek government since the restoration of democracy has held talks with Turkey

Duty-Free shopping on SHEIN and Temu ends as new €3 EU import charge comes into force

“Even the Leaning Tower of Pisa tilts, but it hasn’t fallen”: Engineer’s remark before Petralona apartment building collapse as warnings went unheeded

Greece weather forecast: Temperatures to reach 38°C in the north as thunderstorms hit mainland areas

Gas canister attacks on the homes of three New Democracy officials in Thessaloniki: 5 injured, one woman intubated

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

> technology

Impending Galactic crash could rip open the Black Hole at the Milky Way’s center

This could actually treat future Earthlings to "a spectacular display of cosmic fireworks"

>Related articles

Ask me anything

> Latest Stories

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu