What is the true width of the Milky Way galaxy?

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SUMMARY

The width of the Milky Way galaxy is not a straightforward measurement, as it varies based on the definitions of its structural components. The galaxy consists of a thin disk and a thick disk, both of which become increasingly diffuse above and below the galactic plane. The concept of 'scale height' is crucial, indicating the height at which stellar density decreases significantly. Additionally, the galactic halo surrounds the Milky Way, contributing to its overall structure but lacking a defined boundary.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of galactic structures, specifically the thin and thick disks of galaxies.
  • Familiarity with the concept of scale height in astrophysics.
  • Knowledge of the galactic halo and its characteristics.
  • Basic comprehension of stellar density and its variations in different regions of a galaxy.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of the thin and thick disks of galaxies.
  • Explore the concept of scale height in more detail, particularly in relation to other galaxies.
  • Investigate the characteristics and composition of the galactic halo.
  • Examine how different definitions of galaxy thickness affect astronomical measurements and models.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysics students, and anyone interested in understanding the structural complexities of the Milky Way galaxy and other similar celestial bodies.

Suyash Singh
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I was wondering that we always see the diameter of milky way but no one talks about its width. Even on google it is not there. This means that if I go up instead of forward then I would be out of milky in an instant?
 
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It is there, if you know where to look:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_disk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thick_disk
It's important to note that these are not uniform structures. That is, they get more diffuse the higher above/below the plane bisecting the Milky Way you go, with no sharp edges telling you where they end. The 'scale height' given in those articles is the height above the plane at which the density of stars goes down by the (somewhat arbitrarily chosen) factor of roughly 3.
Then there's the galactic halo, surrounding the entire Galaxy, which is highly diffuse in terms of stellar population. The point being, the 'thickness' of a galaxy (much like its radius) can depend on what precisely do you mean by it. I.e., it's a convention.
 
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