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Astronomy

Unveiling the Milky Way’s Dark Side: A New Perspective from the VLBA

by Jasmine
written by Jasmine

New Research Sheds Light on the Milky Way’s “Dark Side”

Mapping the Unknown

The Milky Way, our home galaxy, has a hidden side that has long remained a mystery. Until now, researchers have been unable to map half of the galaxy, obscured by the dust-filled galactic center. This “dark side” has been a major obstacle to understanding the Milky Way’s structure and evolution.

VLBA to the Rescue

In a groundbreaking new study, astronomers used a system of ten identical antennae called the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) to peer beyond the galactic center and into the Milky Way’s dark side. The VLBA’s massive distance coverage allowed it to “see” using radio waves, which are much larger than those in visible light.

Measuring Distances with Parallax

The researchers used an old method called trigonometric parallax to calculate distances to star-forming regions on the far side of the galaxy. Parallax involves tracking a celestial object’s apparent shift in position as seen from two different locations on Earth’s orbit, months apart. Measuring the angle of this shift allows astronomers to calculate the distance of the object using trigonometry.

Unveiling the Star-Forming Regions

The VLBA gave the researchers the ability to measure the very small parallax motion seen across more than 66,000 light-years to the star-forming region on the galaxy’s far side. This allowed them to map the distribution of luminous and dark matter across the Milky Way, providing a new perspective on the galaxy’s birth and evolution.

Ongoing Efforts

The new research is just part of an ongoing effort by many groups and observatories to properly map the entire Milky Way. With such an unprecedented view, scientists hope they will be able to answer longstanding questions about the galaxy’s formation, evolution, and the role of dark matter.

Unraveling the Galaxy’s Mysteries

The Milky Way map is a key to understanding our place in the universe. By studying the galaxy’s structure and evolution, astronomers hope to gain insights into how we came to be and our place in the vast cosmos. The new research has brought us one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of our home galaxy.

Additional Insights

  • The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy, with our solar system located in one of its arms.
  • The VLBA is an array of ten identical antennae that can be used to measure the distance to objects in space with great accuracy.
  • Parallax is a method for measuring distances in astronomy by tracking the apparent shift in an object’s position from two different locations.
  • The distribution of luminous and dark matter in the Milky Way provides clues about the galaxy’s formation and evolution.
  • Scientists hope that by mapping the entire Milky Way, they can answer longstanding questions about the galaxy’s birth and evolution, including perhaps, how we came to be.
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Astronomy

Gaia’s Dazzling Discovery: Unveiling 2.8 Million Stars in the Milky Way

by Rosa
written by Rosa

Gaia Captures a Dazzling Image of 2.8 Million Stars in the Milky Way

Gaia’s Breathtaking Star Survey

The European Space Agency’s Gaia star surveyor has captured a series of stunning images of the Milky Way galaxy, revealing an estimated 2.8 million stars in a densely packed region near the galactic center.

A Clear View into the Galaxy’s Heart

This particular image, taken on February 7, 2017, depicts an area two degrees below the galactic center. Its relatively low amount of interstellar dust provides Gaia with an unobstructed view into the inner sanctum of our galaxy.

A Stellar Census

The image covers 0.6 square degrees of the sky, with an estimated density of 4.6 million stars per square degree. This suggests that there should be roughly 2.8 million points of light in the picture, although no one has yet counted them.

Gaia’s Mission: Mapping the Milky Way

Launched in 2013, Gaia is on a five-year mission to map 1 billion stars, or roughly 1 percent of the Milky Way. This ambitious project aims to create a detailed map of our galaxy and help astronomers understand its evolution.

Astro spectrometry: Studying Stellar Motions

Gaia studies the motions of individual stars using a technique called astro spectrometry. By cataloging and analyzing these movements, researchers hope to gain insights into the Milky Way’s history and predict its future.

Data Dump-Images: Capturing Stellar Crowds

While Gaia typically focuses on individual stars, it occasionally encounters regions of space so densely packed that it becomes difficult to measure the motion of each star. In these cases, Gaia sends down a data dump-image of the entire area. The recent mega-star image is an example of such a data dump-image.

Gaia’s Legacy: Reshaping Our Cosmic View

Despite its relatively short time in space, Gaia has already made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe. Its first catalog of 1 billion stars, released in 2016, provided a wealth of new data for astronomers. A second catalog is scheduled for release in 2018, with subsequent catalogs planned for 2020 and 2022 if Gaia’s mission is extended.

Unveiling Cosmic Secrets from Gaia’s Data

Research based on Gaia’s data is already revealing fascinating insights. For instance, scientists have discovered that a star called Gliese 710 will pass through the inner Oort Cloud, a shell of icy debris surrounding the solar system, in around 1.3 million years. This event could potentially trigger a bombardment of comets into our Solar System.

Stellar Traffic in Our Neighborhood

Gaia’s data also suggests that there is much more “stellar traffic” in our area of space than previously believed. On average, 87 stars come within 6.5 light-years of the sun every million years.

Gaia’s Promise: A Treasure Trove of Astronomical Data

Gaia is amassing an enormous amount of data, estimated to fill 1.5 million CD-ROMs over five years. This data will require extensive processing before it can be fully analyzed, but it holds the potential to unlock countless new discoveries about our galaxy and the universe beyond.

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Astronomy

Supermassive Black Hole vs. Gas Cloud: A Cosmic Collision on the Horizon

by Rosa
written by Rosa

Supermassive Black Hole to Collide with Gas Cloud

At the heart of our Milky Way galaxy resides a supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A*. For over a decade, astronomers have eagerly anticipated the moment when this celestial behemoth would devour a massive gas cloud known as G2.

The Impending Collision

Discovered in 2011, the gas cloud G2 has been relentlessly drawn towards Sagittarius A* by its immense gravitational pull. As it hurtles towards its potential demise at a staggering speed of 5 million miles per hour, astronomers have been meticulously tracking its trajectory.

Two Possible Outcomes

As G2 approaches its closest encounter with Sagittarius A*, two distinct scenarios could unfold. The gas cloud may either continue on its current orbit and slingshot around the black hole, or it could collide with surrounding gas and dust, losing speed and spiraling inward towards its doom.

Slingshot Scenario:

If G2 manages to avoid a direct collision, it could provide valuable insights into the evolution of galaxies. By studying the cloud’s behavior as it skirts around the black hole, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of the history and formation of our own Milky Way’s supermassive black hole.

Collision Scenario:

In the event of a collision, astronomers will witness a cosmic spectacle as the black hole consumes a substantial portion of G2. This would offer a rare opportunity to observe the feeding habits of supermassive black holes and investigate the processes that shape their growth and influence on their surroundings.

The Long-Term Impact

Regardless of the outcome, the interaction between Sagittarius A* and G2 is expected to have long-lasting effects. Material torn from the gas cloud could spiral inward through the black hole’s feeding disk, releasing intense radiation as it approaches the event horizon. This process could provide valuable insights into the dynamics of black hole accretion and the nature of matter in extreme environments.

A Cosmic Battleground

The impending collision between Sagittarius A* and G2 has captivated the imaginations of astronomers worldwide. It presents a unique opportunity to study the behavior of supermassive black holes and the interplay between celestial objects in our galaxy. As we eagerly await the outcome, we stand on the cusp of unraveling new mysteries about the enigmatic forces that shape our universe.

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