The Milky Way and other spiral galaxies ____.
A) must have formed recently, because they contain young stars
B) formed spiral arms as the result of major collisions with other galaxies
C) created their disks through the process of galactic cannibalism
D) must be very old because they contain so much gas and dust
E) cannot maintain their disk structure if they suffer a major collision

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Spiral galaxies, like the Milky Way, can lose their distinctive disk structure if they undergo a major collision with another galaxy. Such collisions can significantly alter their appearance, potentially transforming them into elliptical galaxies or disrupting their spiral arms.

The Milky Way and Other Spiral Galaxies ____