Figure 13-16 The Nearest Galaxy (a) The Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy is a dwarf elliptical galaxy that lies some 25,000 ly from the Milky Way. This infrared radiation–based image shows the Milky Way’s spiral arms, as well as the distribution of stars being stripped from the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy by our Galaxy’s gravitational tidal force. Containing only about 1 billion stars, the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy will be completely pulled apart within the next 100 million years or so by the Milky Way. (b) View from Earth of the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy and its path of debris.