How is it really possible for there to be gravitational forces between distant galaxies?

Why not? The inverse square law predicts that two galaxies separated by 1 million parsecs and each as massive as the Milky Way will exert a mutual force of about:


F =   6.6 x 10^-8 x (3 x 10^42 grams) x ( 3 x 10^42 grams)
      ----------------------------------------------------
                                        2
                ( 3 x 10^18 x 1 million)

   = 6.6 x 10^28 dynes.
That's a heck of a big force in my books! I see no problem with this at all!!
Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald
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