The Andromeda galaxy may be getting bullied by a smaller galactic neighbor, scientists find

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered that Andromeda galaxy—our nearest large galactic neighbor—has dramatically cut back on star formation over the past forty million years. Space.com reports that a research team led by Tobin Wainer at the University of Washington analyzed two hundred million stars and found the rate of new star creation has plummeted from about one solar mass's worth per year, half a billion years ago, down to just one-fifth of that today. They suspect M32, Andromeda's smaller neighbor located just sixteen thousand light-years away. The slowdown is most pronounced on the side of Andromeda facing M32, suggesting this smaller neighbor is likely responsible. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launching in late August, will provide sharper views of Andromeda and may help confirm this theory.

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