Around 700 million years ago – which is still fresh in astronomical terms – a small galaxy collided with the Milky Way, leading to permanent damage to our galactic home. A small satellite galaxy which hovers around the edge of the Milky Way came colliding into our galaxy, leading to parts of our starry home becoming twisted and distorted.
The particles themselves are invisible and made of mystery substance unbeknown to astronomers.
However, they can be analysed by the effect they have on surrounding stars and gasses.
The analysis showed that the halo of dark matter is contorting the disc of the Milky Way.
As a result, part of our galaxy is being pulled to the constellation Pegasus.
The particles themselves are invisible and made of mystery substance unbeknown to astronomers.
However, they can be analysed by the effect they have on surrounding stars and gasses.
The analysis showed that the halo of dark matter is contorting the disc of the Milky Way.
As a result, part of our galaxy is being pulled to the constellation Pegasus.
READ MORE: ‘Nobody on Earth is safe’ Scientists’ warning over ‘rogue’ black holes
Dr Michael Petersen, lead author and Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Physics and Astronomy, said: “Our findings beg for a new generation of Milky Way models, to describe the evolution of our galaxy.
“We were able to show that stars at incredibly large distances, up to 300,000 light-years away, retain a memory of the Milky Way structure before the LMC fell in, and form a backdrop against which we measured the stellar disk flying through space, pulled by the gravitational force of the LMC.”
Professor Jorge Peñarrubia, Personal Chair of Gravitational Dynamics, School of Physics and Astronomy, said: “This discovery definitely breaks the spell that our galaxy is in some sort of equilibrium state.
“Actually, the recent infall of the LMC is causing violent perturbations onto the Milky Way.
“Understanding these may give us an unparalleled view on the distribution of dark matter in both galaxies.”