A real-time interactive web application that displays the current distance between the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Sun, updating live as Andromeda approaches the Milky Way.
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Real-time Distance Display: Shows the current distance in three formats:
- Kilometers (with decimal precision)
- Light-years
- Parsecs
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Live Countdown: Updates every 50ms to show the distance decreasing as M31 approaches at 110 km/s
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Approach Statistics:
- Current approach velocity (110 km/s)
- Time elapsed since page load
- Distance closed since page load
- Reference epoch (January 1, 2024)
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Modern UI: Dark-themed interface with gradient effects and smooth animations
- Base Distance: 2.537 million light-years (2024 reference epoch)
- Radial Velocity: 110 km/s (approaching)
- Reference Date: January 1, 2024, 00:00:00 UTC
Simply open index.html in a web browser to start the real-time distance calculator. No build process or dependencies required.
- Pure vanilla JavaScript
- HTML5 & CSS3
- No external libraries or frameworks
- Responsive design for mobile and desktop
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is our nearest major galactic neighbor and is currently approaching the Milky Way. In approximately 4.5 billion years, the two galaxies are expected to collide and eventually merge.
This project is open source and available for educational and personal use.