Where are we located in the Milky Way Galaxy? Click one of the boxes to predict.
Where are we located in the Milky Way Galaxy? Click one of the boxes to predict.
Where are we located in the Milky Way Galaxy? Click one of the boxes to predict.
What are some distinctive features of our galaxy?
Where are we located in the Milky Way Galaxy?
How could you describe the shape of the Milky Way when viewed from the side?
At the galactic center of almost every galaxy is a black hole. A black hole is a region of space packed with so much mass that its own gravity prevents anything from escaping—even light.
This is Sagittarius A*, the black hole in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy
How did scientists determine there was a black hole in the center of the Milky Way galaxy?
Watch this screen recording or use the website Black Holes: Sagittarius A* to help answer this question. Use the timeline scroll bar to see the changes.
Both Voyager missions carried a "Golden Record." This record has sounds and pictures showing the variety of life and culture on Earth. It is meant for any aliens who might find the probes. The record has music, greetings in 55 languages, and 116 pictures. The cover shows how to play it.
List 3 things you would include on the Golden Record for extraterrestrials.
How would you classify the Milky Way?
What is the farthest man-made object from the Sun?
What does a light year measure?
What is the closest star to our solar system?
How long does it take light from the nearest star (besides the Sun) to reach us?
What type of stars are found closer to the galactic plane (flat disk of the galaxy)?
How long does it take light to travel across the entire Milky Way Galaxy?
If you would like to play with the animation, click here (Chrome required).
What sort of reaction did you have to the animation? What did it make you think about the size of the galaxy?
Our Milky Way, like many galaxies, is mostly flat.
Think about how a ball of dough can be spun to create pizza crust:
How is a flat galaxy like spinning pizza dough?
