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A new study using Hubble Space Telescope data mapped the last 500 million years of star formation in the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), finding a sharp recent decline, especially over the last 40 million years.
Andromeda, the nearest major spiral galaxy to the Milky Way, is about 2.5 million light-years away and contains an estimated 1 trillion stars.
Gravitational interaction with its satellite galaxy M32 has disrupted Andromeda's stellar disk, creating a dead zone with no recent star birth.
Andromeda is moving toward the Milky Way at about 110 km/s and the two galaxies are projected to merge in 4-10 billion years.
Gravitational interactions and collision passes by Andromeda's satellite galaxy M32 have punched through its stellar disk, disrupting dust clouds and creating a dead zone devoid of recent star birth — concentrating remaining star formation in ring-like dust structures at radii of 26,000 and 33,000 light-years.
Simple Analogy: Like a smaller boat's wake disturbing the water on a lake, M32's gravitational passes have stirred up and displaced Andromeda's star-forming material.
GS Paper III > Science & Technology, Space
The term 'Goldilocks Zone' is often seen in the news in the context of
Answer: search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
What is the purpose of 'evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (ELISA)' project?
Answer: To detect gravitational waves
"The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft." The experiment in question refers to
Answer: Evolved LISA
The group of galaxies that includes the Milky Way, Andromeda, and their satellite galaxies