Under inexorable gravity's pull,
galaxies often move toward one another.
Closer and closer they come to each other,
till astronomic smashups happen in full.
For no less than two of them, possibly three,
such a scenario has been predicted,
as computer simulations depicted
through the Hubble images researchers see.
Milky Way will have a new identity.
It's destined to get a major makeover.
Andromeda's bound for a broad takeover.
Milkomeda's what they'll call this entity.
In that head-on cosmic collision in view—
a colossal stellar encounter full-blown—
it is indeed likely our Sun will be thrown
from its present locale to a region new.
The galaxies into each other will plow,
but our planetary realms won't be destroyed
nor be propelled into an outer space void,
though stars will not have the same orbits as now.
They'll go round a novel galactic center.
The fate for our own solar system in store
is perhaps to be tossed far off from the core
of the reshaped ellipse that it will enter.
Of course, by the time the collision takes place,
the surface of Earth, without intervention,
will be much too hot for water retention,
because of the Sun's super-luminous face.
This means no terrestrial life could subsist
or think that the heavens are seemingly strange.
Thus no one we know of would notice the change,
and our worldly woes will have ceased to exist…
For a while, the night sky will be all ablaze
with new star formations in radiant rays,
but at last in the merger's more final phase
it will look like spilled milk in a bright white haze.
Still there's no need to fret or to get upset.
This melding won't start till four billion years hence.
And that's way away in the far future tense…
So it's no use crying over spilt milk yet!
< January 2015 >
Some times you can't help but cry over spilled milk. Good poem.
Science and poetry to of the finest disciplines of human development, sandwiched here into a captivating poem. While I have been familiar with the great collision coming, I never thought to craft a poem as special as this, so a neighbor will crash our party, at least we have 4 billion years to plan the rumble. One word Stellar
I very much like putting astronomy and poetry together of this sort. I’m so glad you found it captivating, which is my challenge. Thank you very much!
No use crying over spilt milk yet, I like that outlook as the milky way and andromeda form a marriage..milkomedas children will carry on, yet time will reveal the answer as we are now on the outskitts of the milky way instead of the center we will get a birds eye view. Another great poem, yes the collision that is already in progress is unfelt at the momen. I'm looking forward to reading all of your poetry my deep thinking friend.
Another astute comment from you... Thank you very much! As for my volume of poems, I have posted quite a variety of them over time, though recently I suppose there has been a predominance of astronomy ones, since I enjoy studying the skies. At any rate, I really appreciate your interest!
The hubble telescope has provided you with much to write about. I won't cry over this spilt milk, but I enjoyed your rhyme and the pictures. Thanks.
Thank you, Pamela. Indeed the Hubble telescope has provided many inspiring images to be treasured. I find it refreshing to turn my gaze upward...
I don't care much for science but I sure like your rhythm n rhyme thanks
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
The night sky all ablaze, good writing, thanks.