What is the Local Group?
Quick Answer
The Local Group is the small galaxy group that includes the Milky Way, Andromeda, and dozens of smaller galaxies. It is part of the larger cosmic neighborhood around us.
The Full Story
The Local Group is a gravitationally bound collection of galaxies spanning roughly 10 million light-years. Its most massive members are the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy, along with Triangulum and many dwarf galaxies. The group is important because it lets astronomers study galaxy interactions in detail. In about 4 to 5 billion years, the Milky Way and Andromeda are expected to merge. The Local Group sits within the larger structure of the Local Sheet and the cosmic web.
Key Facts
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"Our galaxy lives in a small cosmic neighborhood with a giant future collision"
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