Our Milky Way galaxy appears to have flipped 90 degrees long ago. But why?
New supercomputer simulations suggest the Milky Way galaxy underwent a 90-degree flip in its orientation billions of years ago due to a head-on collision with another galaxy. This event likely influenced the current orbital patterns of stars within the galactic halo.
Why it matters
Understanding the history of galactic mergers helps scientists reconstruct the evolution of the Milky Way and the solar system.
Galaxies Our Milky Way galaxy appears to have flipped 90 degrees long ago. But why? News By Keith Cooper Published 28 July 2026 The flip may have even altered the solar system's orbit around the center of the galaxy.
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