As galaxies approach each other in the process of a merger, a number
of scenarios could arise

1. Normal vector to the rotating galaxies facing the same direction
2. Normal vector to the rotating galaxies facing the opposite
direction
3. Normal vector to the rotating galaxies perpendicular to each other
(like a bevel gear or a worm gear configuration)

I am curious how the resulting galaxy would differ in shape, chaos (or
entropy) from the rest for each of the above cases. Also in "2" above,
the angular momentum would be drastically reduced, Wouldnt this cause
a collapse of the resulting galaxy into itself to form a super massive
blackhole due to gravitational forces within in time. Or can the
resulting galaxy stabilize with stars and matter within rotating in
opposite directions.

(Raj Diva) wrote in message ...
I am trying to get a sense of the utter chaos that could result in
such an event, say if Andromeda were to merge with Milkyway

Lets define on a scale of 1-10

(10) being if a Star a few solar masses were to directly collide with
our dear Sun.. or If our solar system were dragged into a blackhole in
the Andromeda measuring a few hundred thousand solar masses.. I guess
the latter would be almost like being picked clean..


(1) being a star coming in close enough to form a binary system with
our Sun.. with an orbit far greater than the outer reaches of our
SOlar system

I am curious what are the scenarios out there.. can we ever hope to
survive such a merger of the two galaxies? Although at first glance I
am tempted to say that we are doomed, somehow the distances between
celestial entities is so great within each galaxy that I am also
wondering if there is a strong chance that we can survive a merger..


I also would like to know other scenarios that could occur in a
merger.. If a star were to come close enough is there a change for the
star to pull away some of the planets that are orbiting the Sun??

I am also curious how long it takes for Andromeda and Milkyway to
merge assuming that we start timing the moment the two are close
enough that contact is first established in the outer reaches