Question

The nearest galaxy to the Milky Way is?
A. Fornax galaxy
B. Sombrero galaxy
C. Andromeda galaxy
D. Pinwheel galaxy

Answer 1

The universe is expanding with an accelerated rate. The galaxies are moving further away from our galaxy. The galaxy is going away from us with the least amount of acceleration or if the gravitational force for any galaxy is over powering the universal expansion, then that galaxy is the nearest to the milky way.

Complete answer:
Galaxy is a space occupied by a collection of planets, dust, gas, satellites, blackhole, neuron stars, stars and their solar systems. Galaxies are identified into three types based on their shape; spiral, elliptical and irregular. We are in the galaxy named the Milky Way. It is a spiral galaxy. Spiral galaxies are comparatively younger than other types of galaxies. Hence the Milky Way is a younger galaxy.

The Andromeda galaxy is the nearest galaxy to the Milky Way. It is at a distance of 2.5 million light years than the Milky Way galaxy. The Fornax galaxy is at a distance of 4.56 million light years away than the Milky Way galaxy. The Sombrero galaxy is at a distance of 29.35 million light years away than the Milky Way galaxy. The Pinwheel galaxy is at a distance of 20.87 million light years away than the Milky Way galaxy. Thus the nearest galaxy to the Milky Way is the Andromeda galaxy.

Hence option C is the correct answer.

Note: The galaxy which is closest to the Milky Way galaxy that is the Andromeda galaxy is slowly approaching nearer to the Milky Way and after a particular span of time; the two galaxies are going to collide. This is because the gravitational force between the two galaxies overpowers the expansion of the universe.