Our home Milky Way galaxy may already be colliding with its closest neighbor

New research suggests that the outer boundary of the Milky Way extends much further than previously thought and may already be overlapping with the Andromeda galaxy.

According to a study published in Nature Astronomy, the circumgalactic mediums (CGMs) of both galaxies—the massive gas clouds surrounding them—are likely already interacting.

Using advanced imaging techniques, scientists from an international team were able to map the CGM of the Milky Way, providing new insights into galaxy evolution and interaction.

This could mean the expected collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda, previously predicted to occur in 4 billion years, has already technically begun.