2007-07-07 21:51:26 · 17 answers · asked by Mohammed Hasan 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
As regards large galaxies comparable in size to the Milky Way, M31. the Andromeda Galaxy, a barred spiral galaxy, is the nearest at 2.56 million light years distance and M33 the Triangulum Galaxy, a spiral galaxy, is next nearest at 2.64 million light years.
The Milky Way and M31 and M33 are the three largest galaxies in the Local Group. The Andromeda Galaxy is moving in our direction and is believed to be on a collision course with the Milky Way, and may merge with it in several billion years' time.
The Milky Way also has some 14 smaller (dwarf) galaxies much close than that, as satellite galaxies, the nearest three of which are only recently discovered:
The Milky Way's satellite system consists of
1. Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy 25,000 light years away.
2. Virgo Stellar Stream 30,000 light years away. Discovered October 2005
3. Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy 81,000 light years away
4. Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) 168,000 light years away
5. Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) 200,000 light years away
6. Ursa Minor Dwarf Galaxy 240,000 light years away
7. Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy 254,000 light years away
8. Draco Dwarf Galaxy 280,000 light years away
9. Sextans Dwarf Galaxy 320,000 light years away
10. Ursa Major Dwarf 330,000 light years away
11. Carina Dwarf Galaxy 360,000 light years away
12. Fornax Dwarf Galaxy 460,000 light years away
13. Leo II Dwarf Galaxy 680,000 light years away
14. Leo I Dwarf Galaxy 820,000 light years away
The second link below lists 110 galaxies within 15 million light years of the Milky Way. of which the 14 ones named above are the nearest, all under 1 million light years away.
2007-07-07 22:14:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Andromeda Galaxy.
2007-07-11 12:43:42 · answer #2 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Andromeda Galaxy
2007-07-07 23:04:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Andromeda is neighbouring galaxy of milkyway galaxy.
2007-07-07 22:01:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the next galaxy to us is the Andromeda (M31)
at least this is the next 'larger galaxy'
there are a couple of smaller galaxies like the Small Magellan Cloud and others right next to us, which are currently 'consumed' by the milky may.
I think there are more than 20 such smaller galaxies being ripped apart by the milky way right now.
but since all of them are more or less directly attached to the milky way the correct answer should be Andromeda
2007-07-07 22:12:31 · answer #5 · answered by blondnirvana 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Andromeda is the closest neighboring galaxy. But, it's a rough neighborhood and you shouldn't go there at night.
Can't be too careful!
2007-07-11 20:54:40 · answer #6 · answered by Tim O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Andromeda is neighbouring galaxy of our galaxy.
2007-07-07 22:20:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Andromeda.
2007-07-08 02:40:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The closest one to earth that we can see from the northern hemisphere is Andromeda. 2.5 million Light years away.
2007-07-07 21:55:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
andromeda is our nearest neighbouring galaxy and its on a collision course with ours....eventually it will by one supermassive galaxy with a supermassive black hole in the centre
2007-07-10 06:31:04 · answer #10 · answered by david_m_grogan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋