Concept explainers
The error in the calculated mass of our galaxy inside the Sun’s orbit and the explanation for that if the calculated distance to the galactic center was off by
Answer to Problem 25Q
The mass of the galaxy if the calculated distance to the galactic center was off by
The mass of the galaxy if the calculated orbital velocity was off by
Explanation of Solution
Given:
The calculated distance to the galactic center was off by
The calculated orbital velocity was off by
Formula Used:
The mass of the star can be found by using the formula;
Where,
Calculation:
Let
And,
Let
The value of
Conclusion:
Therefore, the mass of the galaxy if the calculated distance to the galactic center was off by
The mass of the galaxy if the calculated orbital velocity was off by
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Chapter 22 Solutions
Universe: Stars And Galaxies
- If the diameter of the Milky Way Galaxys visible disk, 80,000 ly, is represented in a model by a dinner plate with a diameter of 10 inches, what is the model distance to galaxy M31, 2.6 millionly away? What is the model distance to the Virgo galaxy cluster, 16 Mpc away? (Convert answers to feet.)arrow_forwardGiven the ideas presented here about how galaxies form, would you expect to find a giant elliptical galaxy in the Local Group? Why or why not? Is there in fact a giant elliptical in the Local Group?arrow_forwardWhat are the two best ways to measure the distance to a nearby spiral galaxy, and how would it be measured?arrow_forward
- Suppose the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy merges completely with the Milky Way and adds 150,000 stars to it. Estimate the percentage change in the mass of the Milky Way. Will this be enough mass to affect the orbit of the Sun around the galactic center? Assume that all of the Sagittarius galaxy’s stars end up in the nuclear bulge of the Milky Way Galaxy and explain your answer.arrow_forwardIf we now realize dwarf ellipticals are the most common type of galaxy, why did they escape our notice for so long?arrow_forwardWhy didnt astronomers before Shapley realize how large our Galaxy is?arrow_forward
- Stars form in the Milky Way at a rate of about 1 solar mass per year. At this rate, how long would it take for all the interstellar gas in the Milky Way to be turned into stars if there were no fresh gas coming in from outside? How does this compare to the estimated age of the universe, 14 billion years? What do you conclude from this?arrow_forwardSuppose the Sun orbited a little farther out, but the mass of the Galaxy inside its orbit remained the same as we calculated in Exercise 25.19. What would be its period at a distance of 30,000 light-years?arrow_forwardWe have said that the Galaxy rotates differentially; that is, stars in the inner parts complete a full 360° orbit around the center of the Galaxy more rapidly than stars farther out. Use Kepler’s third law and the mass we derived in Exercise 25.19 to calculate the period of a star that is only 5000 light-years from the center. Now do the same calculation for a globular cluster at a distance of 50,000 light-years. Suppose the Sun, this star, and the globular cluster all fall on a straight line through the center of the Galaxy. Where will they be relative to each other after the Sun completes one full journey around the center of the Galaxy? (Assume that all the mass in the Galaxy is concentrated at its center.)arrow_forward
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