This is an artist's drawing of how scientists believe our galaxy looks. We have never been outside our galaxy before and can only guess what it really looks like. Astronomers believe it is a barred spiral galaxy — a galaxy with a spiral shape that has a line of stars across its middle, as you can see in the picture above. If you were to fly across the galaxy at the speed of light, it would take you an astounding 100,000 years. You’ll be glad to hear the Earth is nowhere near the Milky Way’s center and its powerful, supermassive black hole. NASA says we’re roughly 165 quadrillion miles from the black hole, which is found in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. As for how our galaxy got its name, it is indeed because of its milky appearance as it stretches across the sky. While spotting the galaxy’s arms is a challenge from our current light-polluted cities, if you get out to a more rural area it really begins to become easier to see up in the skies. The ancient Romans called our galaxy the Via Lactea, which literally means “The Road of Milk.” I just have to add a picture from the Hubble Telescope to show you that stars really do have colors.
12 Comments
sammi sammi sammi
1/7/2016 03:28:03 pm
did you know that twinkle twinkle little star and the ABC's and baba black sheep all same tune??????? it is MAGICAL!!!!
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sammi
1/7/2016 03:50:56 pm
i know right the same tune!!!! awesome!!!
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olivia sharp
1/7/2016 04:14:32 pm
ya thats so wierd!
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sammi
1/7/2016 05:14:31 pm
yes some poeple are actually responding on what i say!!!
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Bob's pina coladas
1/7/2016 05:30:24 pm
2 pina coladas for $5 anyone want to buy one
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Bobby
1/7/2016 05:32:40 pm
hey bob
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ebola
1/7/2016 05:39:33 pm
i see you
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dawg
1/7/2016 05:39:12 pm
sup
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Emma
1/7/2016 10:14:24 pm
I'm so excited that we are learning about constellations!
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Olivia Barlow
1/8/2016 06:35:54 am
I love the picture of the stars.
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Hailey
1/8/2016 07:09:51 am
I really want to see stars that are red and blue
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |