The Milky Way GalaxyThe Milky Way Galaxy

Lindsay StrongLindsay Strong

Mrs. Lower Mrs. Lower

May 23, 2012May 23, 2012

Size of the Milky WaySize of the Milky Way

100,000 light years 100,000 light years from edge to edge.from edge to edge.

128,000 light years 128,000 light years from top to bottom.from top to bottom.

It has over 200 It has over 200 billion stars.billion stars.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Characteristics Characteristics

Milky way is a barred spiralMilky way is a barred spiral Solar system is located 2/3 the way Solar system is located 2/3 the way

from the centerfrom the center Fast rotating-1,600,000 mph.Fast rotating-1,600,000 mph. There is massive black hole in the There is massive black hole in the

center called Sagittarius A*center called Sagittarius A*

The Milky Way Compared To The Milky Way Compared To EarthEarth

Milky Way compared to Milky Way compared to Earth.Earth.

They both rotateThey both rotate They both revolve They both revolve They both have a ton of research on They both have a ton of research on

it.it.

Amazing Fact Amazing Fact Sagittarius DwarfSagittarius Dwarf E Elliptical galaxy is located 80,000 light years lliptical galaxy is located 80,000 light years

from our own.from our own.

The Milky Way is eating up this galaxy.The Milky Way is eating up this galaxy.

Fun FactsFun Facts The age of the universe 13.7 billion years The age of the universe 13.7 billion years

old. The Milky Way is about 13.6 billion old. The Milky Way is about 13.6 billion years old.years old.

The biggest galaxy is IC1101 with over a The biggest galaxy is IC1101 with over a trillion stars.trillion stars.

Our closest neighbors include the Large Our closest neighbors include the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, and the and Small Magellanic Clouds, and the Andromeda GalaxyAndromeda Galaxy

Large and Small Magellanic Clouds

Photo taken from the desert in Chili, SA

Just how big is our Galaxy?Just how big is our Galaxy?In a way I can understand…In a way I can understand…

Imagine that the distance from the earth to the sun is compressed to the thickness of a sheet of paper. The diameter of the Milky Way would require a 310 mile high stack of paper. 9,820,000

packs

Reflection Reflection

Do you think people will keep Do you think people will keep researching the Milky Way? Why?researching the Milky Way? Why?