Science
Our Cosmic Neighborhood Explained
Discover the Local Group, our home galaxy cluster containing the Milky Way, Andromeda, and over 80 other gravitationally bound galaxies.
What is it?
The Local Group is our cosmic neighborhood, a cluster of over 80 galaxies bound together by gravity. It spans about 10 million light-years and is dominated by two large spiral galaxies: our own Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy. Along with the smaller Triangulum Galaxy, these three contain most of the group's mass. The rest are smaller dwarf galaxies, many of which orbit their larger neighbors like satellites.
Why is it trending?
The Local Group is a hotbed of astronomical research, with new discoveries emerging from telescopes like the James Webb. Scientists study its structure to map dark matter and understand galaxy formation. A major topic is the predicted collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda in about 4.5 billion years. This spectacular future event, dubbed "Milkomeda," is constantly being refined with new data, keeping it in the scientific spotlight.
How does it affect people?
Studying our Local Group directly impacts our understanding of our place in the universe. It’s the closest and most detailed environment for testing theories on how galaxies form and evolve. For humanity, it provides profound perspective, showing that our galaxy is not alone but part of a dynamic, interconnected family. This knowledge helps answer fundamental questions about our cosmic origins and inspires our quest to comprehend the universe.