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Chapter 23: Problem 1

Why do the stars of the Galaxy appear to form a bright band that extends around the sky?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The stars of the galaxy appear to form a bright band extending around the sky because the Earth is located within the flattened disc of the Milky Way galaxy. When looking up, the perspective is towards the plane of the disc where stars are much more concentrated, hence appearing as a visible band of stars.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the observation point

Firstly, it should be understood that our observation point is Earth, which is part of the Solar System situated within the Milky Way galaxy.
02

Understanding the structure of the Milky Way

The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy, meaning it has a central bar-shaped structure composed of stars with spiral arms extending outwards. It is crucial to reveal that the major part of the Milky Way's visible stars is located in its disc and central bulge.
03

Explaining the observation of star band

From Earth, looking into the sky at night, what is visible is the flat, disc-like structure of our own galaxy. This is because the Earth is located indoors the disc of the galaxy. Looking along the plane of the disc, the stars appear much more concentrated, forming a band or 'belt' of stars across the sky.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Why don't astronomers detect \(21-\mathrm{cm}\) radiation from the hydrogen in giant molecular clouds?

What kinds of objects (other than H I clouds) do astronomers observe to map out the Galaxy's spiral structure? What is special about these objects? Which of these can be observed at great distances?

Many classic black-and-white photographs of spiral galaxies were taken using film that was most sensitive to blue light. Explain why the spiral arms were particularly prominent in such photographs.

From what you know about stellar evolution, the interstellar medium, and the density-wave theory, explain the appearance and structure of the spiral arms of grand-design spiral galaxies.

In our Galaxy, why are stars of spectral classes \(\mathrm{O}\) and \(\mathrm{B}\) only found in or near the spiral arms? Is the same true for stars of other spectral classes? Explain why or why not.
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