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EvC Forum ⇒ Science Forums ⇒ Big Bang and Cosmology ⇒

How big is our Galaxy.

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Topic: How big is our Galaxy.

Wounded King

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Posts: 4149

From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Joined: 04-09-2003

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Message 5 of 147 (278652)
01-13-2006 11:05 AM

Reply to: Message 1 by jar
01-13-2006 10:20 AM

All praise Monty Python

I know a song about this

Our galaxy itself contains 100 billion stars

It's 100,000 light years side to side,

It bulges in the middle, 16,000 light years thick

But out by us it's just 3,000 light years wide

Admittedly I'm not sure of the accuracy or derivation of these figures.

*ABE* Here is a page addressing the accuracy of the 'Galaxy song'.

TTFN,

This message has been edited by Wounded King, 13-Jan-2006 05:17 PM

This message is a reply to:
	Message 1 by jar, posted 01-13-2006 10:20 AM		jar has not replied

Wounded King

Member

Posts: 4149

From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Joined: 04-09-2003

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Message 9 of 147 (278663)
01-13-2006 12:21 PM

Reply to: Message 8 by jar
01-13-2006 12:20 PM

Only if you can see in infrared.

TTFN,

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	Message 8 by jar, posted 01-13-2006 12:20 PM		jar has replied

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	Message 10 by jar, posted 01-13-2006 12:27 PM		Wounded King has replied

Wounded King

Member

Posts: 4149

From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Joined: 04-09-2003

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Message 12 of 147 (278672)
01-13-2006 12:37 PM

Reply to: Message 10 by jar
01-13-2006 12:27 PM

I assume it is some sort of triangulation based upon our own relative motion compared to some reference objects and the galactic center.

Apparently som eearly estimates were base upon observing the motions of stars and using these observations to try and calculate their center of rotation.

Here we go, apparently efforts are in place to use 'Trigonometric Parallax' to measure the distance.

TTFN,

This message is a reply to:
	Message 10 by jar, posted 01-13-2006 12:27 PM		jar has not replied

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