Summary
Astronomers are making significant strides in understanding the Milky Way's history and future through extensive surveys tracking the positions and motions of over a billion stars. The Milky Way, a typical barred spiral galaxy, is currently preparing for a major merger with its two brighter satellite galaxies, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. This event is expected to trigger a fresh wave of star formation in about two billion years, marking a significant moment in the galaxy's evolutionary timeline.
The Milky Way's formation involved a series of violent mergers, with the most notable being the consumption of a galaxy dubbed Gaia Enceladus around 10 billion years ago. This merger reshaped the Milky Way and contributed to the formation of its thick disk, which is distinct from the thinner disk where most star formation occurs. The ongoing research into stellar archaeology allows astronomers to piece together the galaxy's chaotic past by analyzing the properties and orbits of stars that originated from these past mergers.
As the Milky Way continues to evolve, it has also been identified as having numerous tidal streams resulting from smaller galaxies being absorbed. The Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy, which has been interacting with the Milky Way for billions of years, is believed to have influenced the formation of our solar system. With ongoing studies from missions like Gaia, the astronomical community anticipates uncovering even more about the Milky Way's complex history and the dynamics of its future interactions with neighboring galaxies.
Show Notes
Search the Entire Space Time Library Here: https://search.pbsspacetime.com/Uploaded 25-05-22PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to :http://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACESign Up on Patreon to get access to the Space Time Discord!https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeWhen we scan the heavens with giant telescopes we see galactic cannibalism everywhere. We see moments that appear frozen on the human timescale, but are really snapshots of the incredibly violent process of galaxy formation. This is how all galaxies are made. We can piece together a pretty good understanding of this process from countless snapshots. Looking into the distance means looking into the past, so it’s possible to stitch together a Frankenstein flip book of galaxy evolution. Check out the Space Time Merch Storehttps://www.pbsspacetime.com/shopSign up for the mailing list to get episode notifications and hear special announcements!https://mailchi.mp/1a6eb8f2717d/spacetimeHosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt Caplan and Matt O'Dowd Post Production by Leonardo Scholzer, Yago Ballarini, Pedro Osinski, Adriano Leal and Stephanie FariaGFX Visualizations: Ajay ManuelDirected by Andrew KornhaberAssociate Producer: Bahar GholipourExecutive Producers: Eric Brown and Andrew KornhaberExecutives in Charge (PBS): Adam Dylewski, Maribel Lopez Director of Programming (PBS): Gabrielle Ewing Spacetime is produced by Kornhaber Brown for PBS Digital Studios.This program is produced by Kornhaber Brown, which is solely responsible for its content.© 2022 PBS. All rights reserved.End Credits Music by J.R.S. Schattenberg: https://www.youtube.com/user/MultiDroidekaSpecial Thanks to Our Patreon SupportersBig Bang SupportersAdam HillierBryce FortPeter BarrettDavid NeumannCharlieLeo KoguanSandy WuAhmad JodehAlexander TamasMorgan HoughAmyJuan BenetVinnie FalcoFabrice EapMark RosenthalDavid NicklasQuasar SupporterMarty SweetmanAlex KernEthan CohenStephen WilcoxChristina OegrenMark HeisingHank SHypernova Supporterswilliam bryanGregory ForfaKirk HonourMark EvansdrollereJoe MoreiraMarc ArmstrongScott GorlickPaul Stehr-GreenRussell PopeBen DeloScott GrayАнтон КочковJohn R. SlavikMathewDonal BotkinJohn PollockEdmund FokschanerJoseph Salomonechuck zegarJordan YoungDaniel MuzquizGamma Ray Burst SuppotersWalterThomas TarlerbsgbryanSean McCaulCarsten QuinlanSusan AlbeeFrank WalkerMatt QWhizBangeryAvi YashchinMHL SHSKory KirkTerje VoldAnatoliy NagornyycomboyBrett BakerJonathan ConerlyAndre StechertRoss BohnerPaul WoodKent Durhamjim bartoshNubbleScott R CalkinsThe Mad MechanicJuan David Gil WiedmanEllis HallJohn H. Austin, Jr.Diana SBen CampbellFaraz KhanAlmog CohenAlex EdwardsÁdám KettingerMD3Endre PechDaniel JenningsCameron SampsonGeoffrey ClarionDarren DuncanRuss CreechJeremy ReedEric WebsterDavid JohnstonWeb BrowserMichael BartonChristopher BarronJames RamseyMr TAndrew MannIsaac SuttellDevon RosenthalOliver FlanaganBleys GoodsonRobert WalterBruce BSimon OliphantMirik GogriMark DelagasseMark Daniel CohenNickolas Andrew FreemanShane CalimlimTybie FitzhughRobert IlardiEric KieblerCraig StonahaMartin SkansThe Art of SinGraydon GossFrederic SimonTonyfaceJohn RobinsonA GDavid NealKevin LeejustahatJohn FunaiTristanBradley JenkinsKyle HoferDaniel StříbrnýLuaanCodyThomas DoughertyKing ZeckendorffScott GossettDan WarrenPatrick SuttonJohn GriffithDaniel LyonsDFaulkKevin Warne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACE↓ More info below ↓Uploaded 27-10-20The Nobel prize in physics this year went to black holes. Generally speaking. Specifically, it was shared by the astronomers who revealed to us the Milky Way’s central black hole and by Roger Penrose, who proved that in general relativity, every black hole contains a place of infinite gravity - a singularity. But the true impact of Penrose’s singularity theorem would is much deeper - it leads us to the limits Einstein’s great theory and to the origin of the universe.Sign Up on Patreon to get access to the Space Time Discord! https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeCheck out the Space Time Merch Storehttps://pbsspacetime.com/Sign up for the mailing list to get episode notifications and hear special announcements!https://mailchi.mp/1a6eb8f2717d/spacetimeHosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt O'DowdGraphics by Leonardo Scholzer, Yago Ballarini, and Pedro OsinskiDirected by: Andrew KornhaberCamera Operator: Setare GholipourExecutive Producers: Eric Brown and Andrew KornhaberEnd Credits Music by J.R.S. Schattenberg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRl6-nb4iOnsij-vnpAjp0QSpecial Thanks to Our Patreon Sponsors!Big Bang SupportersSean MaddoxMarty YudkovitzBrodie RaoScott GrayRobert DoxtatorAhmad JodehCaed AldwychRadu NegulescuAlexander TamasMorgan HoughJuan BenetFabrice EapMark RosenthalDavid NicklasQuasar SupportersJustin LloydChristina OegrenMark HeisingVinnie FalcoHypernova Supporterswilliam bryanNicholas NewlinMark Matthew BoskoJustin JermynJason FinnАнтон КочковAlec S-LJulian TyackeSyed AnsarJohn R. SlavikMathewDanton SpiveyDonal BotkinJohn PollockEdmund FokschanerJoseph SalomoneMatthew O'Connorchuck zegarJordan Youngm0nkHank SJohn HofmannTimothy McCullochGamma Ray Burst SupportersJason NormandinCameron SampsonPratik MukherjeeGeoffrey ClarionAstronauticistNateDarren DuncanLily kawaiiRuss CreechJeremy ReedMax BernardMagistrala Хемус [Kybrit]Bill BlairEric WebsterSteven SartoreJames YoungerDavid JohnstonJ. KingMichael BartonChristopher BarronJames RamseyMr TAndrew MannJeremiah Johnsonfieldsa eleanoryPeter MertzKevin O'ConnellRichard DeightonIsaac SuttellDevon RosenthalOliver FlanaganDawn M FinkBleys GoodsonDarryl J LyleRobert WalterBruce BIsmael MontecelM DAndrew RichmondSimon OliphantMirik GogriDavid HughesMark Daniel CohenBrandon LattinYannick WeynsNickolas Andrew FreemanBrian BlanchardShane CalimlimTybie FitzhughRobert IlardiEric KieblerTatiana VorovchenkoCraig StonahaMichael ConroyGraydon GossFrederic SimonGreg SmithSean WarniahaTonyfaceJohn RobinsonA GKevin LeeAdrian HatchYurii KonovaliukJohn FunaiCass CostelloGeoffrey ShortBradley JenkinsKyle HoferTim StephaniLuaanAlecZeroMalte UblNick VirtueScott GossettDavid BethalaDan WarrenPatrick SuttonJohn GriffithDaniel LyonsDFaulkKevin WarneAndreas NautschBrandon labonteLucas Morgan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to:http://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACEUploaded 01-06-22Get your t-shirt at the Space Time Merch Store:https://www.pbsspacetime.com/shopNeils Bohr said, “It is wrong to think that the task of physics is to find out how Nature is. Physics concerns what we can say about Nature.” Well it turns out that if we pay attention to this subtle difference, some of the most mysterious aspects of nature make a lot more sense.Sign Up on Patreon to get access to the Space Time Discord!https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeSign up for the mailing list to get episode notifications and hear special announcements!https://mailchi.mp/1a6eb8f2717d/spacetimeSearch the Entire Space Time Library Here: https://search.pbsspacetime.com/Hosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt O'Dowd Post Production by Leonardo Scholzer, Yago Ballarini, Pedro Osinski, Adriano Leal and Stephanie FariaGFX Visualizations: Ajay ManuelDirected by Andrew KornhaberAssociate Producer: Bahar GholipourExecutive Producers: Eric Brown and Andrew KornhaberExecutives in Charge (PBS): Adam Dylewski, Maribel Lopez Director of Programming (PBS): Gabrielle Ewing Spacetime is produced by Kornhaber Brown for PBS Digital Studios.This program is produced by Kornhaber Brown, which is solely responsible for its content.© 2022 PBS. All rights reserved.End Credits Music by J.R.S. Schattenberg: https://www.youtube.com/user/MultiDroidekaSpecial Thanks to Our Patreon SupportersBig Bang SupportersAdam HillierBryce FortPeter BarrettDavid NeumannCharlieLeo KoguanAhmad JodehAlexander TamasMorgan HoughAmyJuan BenetVinnie FalcoFabrice EapMark RosenthalDavid NicklasQuasar SupportersMarty SweetmanAlex KernEthan CohenStephen WilcoxChristina OegrenMark HeisingHank SHypernova Supporterswilliam bryanGregory ForfaKirk HonourMark EvansdrollereJoe MoreiraMarc ArmstrongScott GorlickPaul Stehr-GreenRussell PopeBen DeloScott GrayАнтон КочковJohn R. SlavikMathewDonal BotkinJohn PollockEdmund FokschanerJoseph Salomonechuck zegarJordan YoungDaniel MuzquizGamma Ray BurstHarsh KhandhadiaWalterThomas TarlerbsgbryanSean McCaulCarsten QuinlanSusan AlbeeFrank WalkerMatt QWhizBangeryAvi YashchinMHL SHSKory KirkTerje VoldAnatoliy NagornyycomboyBrett BakerJonathan ConerlyAndre StechertRoss BohnerPaul WoodKent Durhamjim bartoshNubbleScott R CalkinsThe Mad MechanicJuan David Gil WiedmanEllis HallJohn H. Austin, Jr.Diana SBen CampbellFaraz KhanAlmog CohenAlex EdwardsÁdám KettingerMD3Endre PechDaniel JenningsCameron SampsonGeoffrey ClarionDarren DuncanRuss CreechJeremy ReedEric WebsterDavid JohnstonWeb BrowserMichael BartonChristopher BarronJames RamseyMr TAndrew MannIsaac SuttellDevon RosenthalOliver FlanaganBleys GoodsonRobert WalterBruce BSimon OliphantMirik GogriMark DelagasseMark Daniel CohenNickolas Andrew FreemanShane CalimlimTybie FitzhughRobert IlardiEric KieblerCraig StonahaMartin SkansThe Art of SinGraydon GossFrederic SimonTonyfaceJohn RobinsonA GDavid NealKevin LeejustahatJohn FunaiTristanBradley JenkinsKyle HoferDaniel StříbrnýLuaanCodyThomas DoughertyKing ZeckendorffScott GossettDan WarrenPatrick SuttonJohn GriffithDaniel LyonsDFaulkKevin Warne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACEUploaded 02-05-18If we, or any conscious being is around to witness the very distant future our galaxy, what will they see? How long will life persist as the stars begin to die? Subscribe to Hot Mess: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsaEBhRsI6tmmz12fkSEYdwYou can further support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeGet your own Space Time t-shirt at http://bit.ly/1QlzoBiTweet at us! @pbsspacetimeFacebook: facebook.com/pbsspacetimeEmail us! pbsspacetime [at] gmail [dot] comComment on Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/pbsspacetimeHelp translate our videos!https://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7gPrevious Episode:Black Hole Swarmshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVhtKAnp3G4For the sake of argument, let’s say that humanity survives the several ends of the world that await us. We somehow persist the gradual heating of our Sun and the evaporation of our oceans. Our descendants cling to existence through countless generations we watch the Andromeda galaxy merge with the Milky Way, forming a vast elliptical galaxy. We seek refuge in the outer solar system as the Sun finally expands into a red giant – twice! And finally our heirs or successors find new homes among the stars after the Sun’s final death and transformation into a dim white dwarf.Hosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Drew Rosen and Matt O'DowdGraphics by Grayson BlackmonAssistant Editing and Sound Design by Mike Petrow and Linda HuangMade by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)Special thanks to our Patreon Big Bang, Quasar and Hypernova Supporters: Big BangCoolAsCatsDavid NicklasAnton LifshitsJoey RednerFabrice EapQuasarTambe BarsbayMayank M. MehrotaMars YenturMark RosenthalDean FuquaRoman PinchukColeslawPurdieHypernovaEdmund FokschanerMatthew O’ConnorEugene LawsonBarry HatfieldMartha HuntJoseph SalomoneChuck ZegarCraig PetersonJordan YoungRatfeastJohn HofmannThanks to our Patreon Gamma Ray Burst Supporters: James HughesFabian OlesenKris FernetJane MeyersJames FlowersGreg AllenDenys IvanovNick VirtueAlexey EromenkoNicholas RoseScott GossettMark VasilePatrick MurraySultan AlkhulaifiAlex SetoMichal-Peanut KarmiErik SteinDaniel LyonsKevin WarneJJ BagnellAvi GoldfingerJohn PettitFlorian StinglmayrBenoit Pagé-GuitardNathan LenizBrandon LabonteDavid CraneGreg WeissShannan CatalanoBrandon Cook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices