If you don’t live by the bright lights of the city and can see the fuzzy arch of the Milky Way Galaxy overhead at night, you’ll have a chance to gaze upon the Galactic Center itself! The Galactic Center is the point around which the rest of our galaxy rotates. You can find it if you look in the direction of the constellations Sagittarius, Scorpius, and Ophiuchus where the Milky Way looks the brightest.
Posts by: Greg - Staff Writer
Polar Ring Galaxies: Strange Galaxies Indeed!
According to the Astronomical Institute at St. Petersburg State University in Russia, there have only been 157 Polar Ring Galaxies identified. A Polar Ring Galaxy (PRG) is type of galaxy where an outer ring of gas and stars rotates over the poles of the galaxy.
What is Interstellar Space – Just Space Between the Stars?
Interplanetary space is the area between planets in the solar system. Moving up on the scale is interstellar space or the area between stars within the same galaxy. Finally, the largest physical space is the area between galaxies themselves which is called intergalactic space!
Comet Origins: Blame the Solar Nebula!
Scientists generally agree today that comets were formed at the same time that our solar system was formed – about 4.6 billion years ago. At that time, the solar system was an enormous spinning disk of dust and gas called the Solar Nebula. Over time, gravitational attraction caused the dust and gas in the center to form our Sun and other areas consolidated into clumps of matter called planetesimals. Planetesimals were about one kilometer across.
Spring Constellations in the Northern Hemisphere with Star Chart
Spring begins with the vernal equinox which occurs on March 20th in the Northern Hemisphere. This change heralds the rise of the spring constellations and sadly, we have to say goodbye to the bright stars of winter including the awesome Orion constellation.