good morning and welcome to the show.

today’s question comes from Angelica Paparazza

who lives in Westport, Massachusetts.

dear William,

I've been informed that the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies

will collide in the distant future. this is causing great anxiety

among members of the ladies auxiliary.

do you think we will be killed?  I’m frightened.

no, no, Angelica! don’t be afraid. you see,

the distance between stars is so vast that

they will pass one another without incident.

however, the gravity of each star within both galaxies

will cause the galaxies to pinwheel around each other

in a slow and wondrous celestial dance.

will you dance with me, Angelica?