Galaxies form the grand structure of our cosmos, yet their origins remain a mystery. How did solitary stars evolve into the vibrant galactic systems we observe today? The answer may lie within, scientists trace the peculiar positions of ancient stars and search for supermassive black holes that roar to life at a galaxy's core. Did these beasts initiate galaxy formation or emerge from it? And could they be the cause of celestial demise? All galaxies will eventually die, but where is the Milky Way on this timeline? Will we slowly fade into darkness or will we burn out with a bang? Scientists study the galactic imprints of time, probing the past to predict our future.