Although neighboring Andromeda Galaxy may look tranquil, scientists are realizing the extent of its tumultuous history. After taking the widest survey yet of faint stars in Andromeda’s neighborhood, a team of astronomers led by Alan McConnachie at the NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics in Victoria, British Columbia, discovered signs of ancient mergers and near-collisions with smaller galaxies, all of which helped shape the Andromeda we see today.

Check out some of the archaeological traces in Andromeda Galaxy in the recent Astro Bulletin below.

To learn about other recent astronomical discoveries, visit the Science Bulletins website.