are our galaxy and Andromeda galaxy both spinning in like manner?

the truth is that we are not a 100% sure whether it will collide or not, we know it is coming towards us, but imagine this: when you are driving, the traffic on the lane to your side is coming towards you, but it doesn't collide. similarly, it is possible that the andromeda never collides, though there are observations that say it will, but we can't tell for sure.

the next thing is that it doesn't matter whether it collides or not, this is because stars are really far apart. if our star is compared to a grain of sand, then the closest star would be 14 kilometers(7 miles) away!

so, it is quite easy for 2 grains of sand(stars) to pass by each other when there is a distance of 14km between them.

so, there is a really small chance of our star colliding into another star.

the only thing that is going to happen is that our galaxy and the andromeda, both of which are beautiful spirals, would become disc like because of the gravitational pull of these two galaxies.

hope it helps :)

if it does, choose it as best answer

The "collision" will be more like when the two crowds of people cross the sidewalk from both sides. The stars will go past each other but the gravitational attractions will change their orbits. Some stars will be flung out of the resulting galaxy but most will eventually form a new galaxy. There is no buzzing circular saw, more like a dust cloud. The spins of both galaxies are not aligned which is why we can clearly see Andromeda's spiral formation and the collision would not be less violent if they were aligned, indeed if the spins were identical, coplanar and the galaxies collided edge to edge, the stars would be moving in opposite directions so the energy absorbed in the orbital changes would be greater. The same spin would actually maximize the violence and dispersal while the opposite spins would be smoother.

Well, ..., Good questions!,

1) Andromeda and the Milky Way are both spinning in opposite directions of one another.

2) It's hard to say If they were spinning in the same direction if the collision will be less "severe". In reality both galaxies are very sparse and will quite literally pass through each other. Gravitational forces will tear each one apart resulting in a newly formed galaxy. As far as science has predicted there should be no actual collisions of matter. However, the merger will certainly "reorganize" things as we know it.

3) Andromeda is rotating slightly slower than the Milky Way 220 km/s vs 250 km/s. There's not a great deal in the rotational peed so I don't think it will be a factor.

4) Yes, you are correct it appears to be a slightly angled buzz saw heading strait for us. However, as I understand the predictions it is we who will absorb Andromeda.

Great questions! See the links below I hope they will help.