![](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/videos\/2018\/10\/merger_in_the_early_formation_stages_of_our_galaxy\/17848522-1-eng-GB\/Merger_in_the_early_formation_stages_of_our_Galaxy_small.jpg\")
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\nComputer simulation of the merger between a galaxy like the young Milky Way, whose stars are shown in cyan, and a smaller galaxy, indicated in red.\n<\/p>\n
\nAccording to a study based on the second data release of ESA\u2019s Gaia mission, astronomers estimate that a significant merging event like the one shown in this animation has occurred during the Milky Way\u2019s early formation stages, ten billion years ago. Such a merger has led to two important components of our Galaxy, the halo and the thick disc.\n<\/p>\n
\nStars belonging to the accreted galaxy, which has been named Gaia-Enceladus, are interspersed with the Milky Way stars and can be seen across the entire sky, but could only be revealed thanks to Gaia\u2019s extraordinary precision.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe simulation shown in this animation is described in papers by \u00c1. Villalobos and A. Helmi published in 2008<\/a> and 2009<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \nMore information: Galactic ghosts: Gaia uncovers a major event in the formation of the Milky Way<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \nCredit: Koppelman, Villalobos & Helmi, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, The Netherlands<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \nComputer simulation of the merger between a galaxy like the young Milky Way, whose stars are shown in cyan, and a smaller galaxy, indicated in red.\n<\/p>\n \nAccording to a study based on the second data release of ESA’s Gaia mission, astronomers estimate that a significant merging event like the one shown in this animation has occurred during the Milky Way’s early formation stages, ten billion years ago. Such a merger has led to two important components of our Galaxy, the halo and the thick disc.\n<\/p>\n \nStars belonging to the accreted galaxy, which has been named Gaia-Enceladus, are interspersed with the Milky Way stars and can be seen across the entire sky, but could only be revealed thanks to Gaia’s extraordinary precision.\n<\/p>\n \nThe simulation shown in this animation is described in papers by Á. Villalobos and A. Helmi published in 2008<\/a> and 2009<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n