Troy, New York – A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has unveiled a major revision to the timeline of our galaxy’s history. This research, based on data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia spacecraft, indicates that the Milky Way’s last significant collision occurred less than three billion years ago, challenging previous estimates by billions of years.
Led by Heidi Jo Newberg, Ph.D., and Tom Donlon, Ph.D., the team’s findings shed light on the galaxy’s past by analyzing the so-called “wrinkles” in the Milky Way, which are remnants of past collisions with other galaxies. By studying these wrinkles and comparing them with cosmological simulations, the researchers were able to pinpoint the timing of the Milky Way’s last major collision.
Contrary to earlier beliefs that the collision occurred between eight and 11 billion years ago, the study reveals that the Milky Way experienced its last significant merger much more recently. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the formation and evolution of our galaxy, as well as the origins of stars with unique orbits within the Milky Way.
The research team’s work underscores the power of the Gaia spacecraft in revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos. By meticulously mapping over a billion stars in the Milky Way and beyond, Gaia has provided researchers with unprecedented insights into the history and dynamics of galaxies, including our own.
The study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, highlights the collaboration between scientists and engineers across Europe and beyond in unlocking the mysteries of the universe. Through their innovative use of Gaia data, the researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have made a significant contribution to our knowledge of the Milky Way’s complex history.
The implications of this research extend far beyond the field of astronomy, offering a glimpse into the dynamic nature of our galaxy and the processes that shape its evolution. With continued advancements in technology and collaborative research efforts, the mysteries of the universe are gradually being unraveled, revealing the vast complexities of the cosmic landscape.