Earth/solar position vs spiral arms

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    Position Spiral
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between the Earth's and the solar system's position relative to the spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy over geological time scales. Participants explore the nature of spiral arms, the movement of stars, and the implications for understanding galactic dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the solar position changes relative to the spiral arms, suggesting a need for clarification on the dynamics involved.
  • Another participant explains that spiral arms are 'density waves' rather than fixed structures, indicating that stars can move in and out of these arms over time.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that spiral arms are compression waves moving through the galaxy, challenging the notion that they are tied to the stars' orbits around the galactic center.
  • A participant raises a question about the variation in speeds among stars in the local group and connects this to the concept of dark matter, expressing confusion about how compression waves could influence star movement.
  • There is a query about how it is determined that the sun was in a specific spiral arm at certain points in the distant past.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of spiral arms and their relationship to star movement, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the nature of spiral arms and the implications of dark matter on star speeds, as well as the methods used to determine historical positions of the sun.

ray b
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in a post on global warming linking to a PDF http://www.spacecenter.dk/research/...blications/svensmark_2007cosmoClimatology.pdf
there is a figure #9 showing the earth+ solar position over the last 200 million years
as our sun moves in and out of the spiral arms of the Milkyway

WHY does this happen
as if the other stars moved at a near speed
would not the solar position stay with in a given spiral arm
or the whole arm no long be in place as the stars move out
is our sun at a special orbit or speed
or what is going on?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Spiral arms are 'density waves' rather than a permanent structure that rotates with the stars. This means that stars are sometimes in and sometimes out of the spiral arm.
 
The spiral arms are not due to star movement around the center of the galaxy. They are compression waves moving through the galaxy.
 
how much variation in speeds is there in our current local group of stars

I thought the whole need for "DARK MATTER" was to limit the speed of the outer
stars as they move at nearly the same speed in orbits around the galaxy

so how do compression waves move a star or group of stars
and how can someone say our sun was in a give arm at a given date 100 or 300 million years ago?
 

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