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nukeman
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Hey guys,
What method do astronomers use to count the stars in the galaxy to come up with a number ?
What method
nukeman said:What methoddo astronomers use to count the stars in the galaxy to come up with a number ?
I'm not entirely clear on what you're asking. We know our basic position in the milky way, so if we could the stars near us (the ones we can easily see) we can try to compensate (statistically) for our position... also, one could use the direction dependence of the observed population of stars (very apparent in the above link), to construct an analytical model for the milky way's stellar distribution---then integrate to estimate the total.nukeman said:Lets say one way is to use a sampling method. How can we count/sample the stars when we are inside the milkyway? Or, how can we use simple methods to count stars we can see in the sky, or on a all sky survey?
Astronomers use a method called "star counting" to estimate the number of stars in the Milky Way. They use telescopes to observe a small area of the sky and then extrapolate that number to estimate the total number of stars in the entire galaxy.
The procedure for counting stars in the Milky Way involves taking images of a small section of the galaxy using telescopes and then using mathematical models to estimate the total number of stars in the entire galaxy.
The method of counting stars in the Milky Way is not 100% accurate as it relies on extrapolation and assumptions about the distribution of stars in the galaxy. However, it is considered to be a reliable and efficient way of estimating the total number of stars.
One of the main challenges in counting stars in the Milky Way is the presence of dust and gas that can obscure the view of stars. This makes it difficult to accurately estimate the total number of stars in the galaxy.
Advancements in technology, such as more powerful telescopes and advanced data analysis techniques, have greatly improved the accuracy and efficiency of counting stars in the Milky Way. This has allowed astronomers to gather more precise data and improve their understanding of our galaxy.