Finding the Exact Time of Alignment of Earth, Sun and Center Sun

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the alignment of the Earth, Sun, and the center of the Milky Way galaxy, specifically focusing on the timing of this alignment and the related astronomical concepts. Participants explore the implications of this alignment and seek to clarify the conditions under which it occurs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the specific degree of the galactic center in Sagittarius and how it relates to the alignment of the Earth and Sun.
  • Others argue that the stars in constellations do not necessarily correlate with their physical proximity to the galactic center, highlighting that apparent alignments can be misleading.
  • A participant emphasizes the need for a straightforward answer regarding the timing of the alignment, expressing frustration with detailed astronomical explanations.
  • Some contributions clarify that the Earth, Sun, and galactic center do not line up in a traditional sense due to the three-dimensional nature of space, suggesting that the alignment occurs in terms of projections onto the galactic plane.
  • One participant provides a specific time for the alignment, stating it occurs around December 18 at approximately 4:45 EST.
  • Another participant mentions that the object at the galactic center is a supermassive black hole, which is surrounded by an accretion disk of gas and plasma.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the exact nature of the alignment or the implications of the "height issue." While some participants provide specific timing for the alignment, others express confusion or dissatisfaction with the explanations given. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved regarding the clarity of the question posed and the understanding of the alignment concept.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the nature of astronomical alignments and the definitions of terms like "alignment" and "height issue," which are not fully clarified. There are also references to previous threads that may contain additional context.

osirisisis
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Ok so if the center sun of our gallaxy is in sagattarius then what degree is it in sagattarius. If the Earth and the sun and the center sun were in aline once a year then would I have to see the oppisite consalation of sagattarius at the oppisite degree of the center sun in the center of the sky on 12 midnite

Im
still looking for an exzack time this of when the Earth sun and center line up
please help
 
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osirisisis said:
Ok so if the center sun of our gallaxy is in sagattarius then what degree is it in sagattarius. If the Earth and the sun and the center sun were in aline once a year then would I have to see the oppisite consalation of sagattarius at the oppisite degree of the center sun in the center of the sky on 12 midnite

Im
still looking for an exzack time this of when the Earth sun and center line up
please help

The galactic center is located at right ascension 17h45m40.04s, declination -29º 00' 28.1" (J2000). The object at the galactic center is not a star, it is a supermassive black hole. The sun, galactic center, and Earth will never line up, as was already explained to you in this thread:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=141357"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
osirisisis said:
If the Earth and the sun and the center sun were in aline once a year then would I have to see the oppisite consalation of sagattarius at the oppisite degree of the center sun in the center of the sky on 12 midnite
That doesn't make a whole lot of sense. You do understand that the stars in constellations aren't necessarily near each other and that the individual stars we see aren't actually anywhere near the galactic center, right? They just appear lined-up with it.

Ie, the apparent nearest bright star to the Milky Way center is Antares and is 600 light years from earth. The Milky Way center, on the other hand is more like 2600 light years away.
 
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Guys this is simple.. I am not looking for fact and figures of about light years away or 32 degree difference that the Earth is off or a plethra of space knowledge I just poss the question to anyone capable of finding the andswer of :

We have the sun and the center of our gallaxy that is aways in aline (2 points in space) and a 3rd verable the Earth that once a year lines up with these 2 points minus a height issue of some odd degrees ...what time this year does this happen?

Ask a professor and see if he knows
 
osirisisis said:
Guys this is simple.. I am not looking for fact and figures of about light years away or 32 degree difference that the Earth is off or a plethra of space knowledge I just poss the question to anyone capable of finding the andswer of :

We have the sun and the center of our gallaxy that is aways in aline (2 points in space) and a 3rd verable the Earth that once a year lines up with these 2 points minus a height issue of some odd degrees ...what time this year does this happen?

Your question is poorly posed, since it's not clear what it means to line up "minus a height issue". That "height issue" makes it so that they never line up. If you mean to ask when the galactic center and projection of the Earth and sun onto the galactic plane line up, then you're effectively asking when the sun is at l=0 and l=180 (l is galactic longitude). Of course, it happens twice a year -- at one of those times the Earth is between the sun and galactic center and at the other the sun is between Earth and galactic center. Since the galactic center is very near eighteen hours, then these events will occur near the winter and summer solstices, respectively. The former "alignment" should occur in only a few days.
 
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I gave you an exact date in your other thread (edit: ehh, plus or minus a couple of days). Poorly worded or not, it isn't a difficult question and you got a straightforward answer. I also gave you simple instructions for looking it up yourself. I don't know why you keep asking it...
 
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Here, I've pinpointed it as good as you'll be able to get. Approximately 4:45 EST on December 18. Here's a screen cap of the planetarium program I used to find it.

May I ask why you needed/wanted to know about this?
 

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SpaceTiger said:
The object at the galactic center is not a star, it is a supermassive black hole.
That's true but what it is actually is that the supermassive black hole gravity creates an accretion of gases which releases llight energy and creating a blob of plasma around the black hole.
 
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what is the date this year that this happened around the winter soltaces
 
  • #11
The question has been answered clearly. No further threads on this, please.
 

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