The Milky Way and Andromeda are two of the most iconic and studied galaxies in the universe. Though they share similarities, they also have striking differences that make each one unique. What They Have in Common Spiral Shape: Both are majestic spiral galaxies, featuring sweeping arms of stars, gas, and dust wrapped around a central bulge. Barred Structure: Each galaxy has a central bar-shaped core, a common feature in large spiral galaxies. How They Differ Size: Andromeda spans ~220,000 light-years, making it nearly twice the size of the Milky Way, which measures about 100,000 light-years. Location: Milky Way is our cosmic home. Andromeda lies 2.5 million light-years away from us. Future Collision: They're on a cosmic collision course! In about 4.5 billion years, the two galaxies are expected to merge, forming a new elliptical galaxy—sometimes dubbed Milkomeda. Unique Traits Andromeda: Hosts a larger entourage of satellite galaxies, including dozens of dwarfs in orbit. Milky Way: Features a richer, more dynamic structure with a pronounced bar and vivid, active spiral arms. Together, these galactic giants help scientists unravel the mysteries of how galaxies form, evolve, and interact across billions of years.