How does the Milky Way galaxy move in the local Group?

In summary, the Milky Way galaxy moves in the Local Group in a complex manner due to gravitational interactions with other galaxies, causing its motion to not be purely circular.
  • #1
abdossamad2003
68
4
How does the Milky Way galaxy move in the local Group? Is there a circular motion around the center of the local Group like the sun moves around the center of the galaxy?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
any answer
 
  • #3
I believe the Local Group is gravitationally bound, so there is a common center about which its mass must collectively orbit. However, the group is only about 100 times the diameter of the Milky Way, so galaxies are much larger in comparison to the spaces between them than stars are, so they interact in more complex ways than stars typically do - ripping each other apart, for example.

All that means that I think you have a mass distribution that isn't really well described as a fluid (like a galaxy) or a collection of point masses orbiting one (like a solar system). So I would suspect that galaxy motions aren't pure ellipses, because they interact a lot (and there are definitely satellite galaxies of the Milky Way). But I am not certain.
 

1. What is the local Group?

The local Group is a group of galaxies that includes the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies, as well as several smaller galaxies. It is the gravitationally bound region that these galaxies occupy within the larger universe.

2. How does the Milky Way move within the local Group?

The Milky Way moves within the local Group through a combination of its own motion and the gravitational pull of the other galaxies in the group. It is currently moving towards the Andromeda galaxy at a speed of approximately 110 kilometers per second.

3. What is the role of dark matter in the movement of the Milky Way within the local Group?

Dark matter plays a significant role in the movement of the Milky Way within the local Group. It is believed that the majority of the mass in the local Group is made up of dark matter, and its gravitational pull helps to hold the galaxies together and influence their movement.

4. How do scientists study the movement of the Milky Way within the local Group?

Scientists study the movement of the Milky Way within the local Group through various methods, including observations of the positions and velocities of other galaxies within the group, computer simulations, and studying the effects of gravitational interactions between the galaxies.

5. Will the Milky Way eventually collide with another galaxy in the local Group?

Yes, it is predicted that the Milky Way will eventually collide with the Andromeda galaxy in approximately 4.5 billion years. This collision will result in the formation of a new, larger galaxy known as Milkomeda.

Similar threads

Replies
31
Views
3K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
437
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
30
Views
3K
Replies
29
Views
7K
Back
Top