The ecliptic planes of the Milky Way and the solar system

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SUMMARY

The Milky Way's ecliptic plane closely aligns with the Sun's ecliptic, suggesting a potential similarity among solar systems within the galaxy. However, the galactic plane is inclined approximately 60 degrees relative to the ecliptic of the Earth. Discussions indicate that while planets in our solar system have equatorial planes that are generally within 30 degrees of the ecliptic, this alignment does not imply a universal characteristic across all solar systems in the Milky Way. The consensus among experts is that variations in angular momentum of molecular clouds overshadow any influence from the galactic disk's angular momentum.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of galactic structures and terminology
  • Knowledge of ecliptic planes and their significance in astronomy
  • Familiarity with angular momentum concepts in astrophysics
  • Basic comprehension of solar system dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the characteristics of ecliptic planes in other galaxies
  • Study the angular momentum variations in molecular clouds
  • Explore the formation and dynamics of spiral galaxies
  • Investigate the orbital mechanics of planets in various solar systems
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of cosmology interested in the structural similarities and dynamics of solar systems within the Milky Way galaxy.

pixel01
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Our Milky Way is a spiral galaxy whose ecliptic plane is the same with the ecliptic of the Sun (or nearly). So do you think all other solar systems in the Milky Way also have the same characteristics?
 
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The galactic plane is nowhere near the ecliptic (the Earth's orbital plane around the Sun).

They are inclined by about 600.

Garth
 
pixel01 said:
Our Milky Way is a spiral galaxy whose ecliptic plane is the same with the ecliptic of the Sun (or nearly). So do you think all other solar systems in the Milky Way also have the same characteristics?

could be that's an interesting question though.
 
davo said:
could be that's an interesting question though.

My idea is this: in our solar system, almost all planets have equatorial planes somewhat in the ecliptic plane (or less than about 30 degrees inclined except for Uranus). So there may be a similarity in the galactic scale. Hope the solar system is not a 'Uranus' in the Milkyway.
 
I once asked this question at a conference, actually. The consensus was that the usual angular momentum variations in molecular clouds are much bigger than any sort of preference you'd get from the angular momentum of the galactic disk.

So no, probably no similarity on the galactic scale.
 

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