The ecliptic planes of the Milky Way and the solar system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the ecliptic planes of the Milky Way galaxy and the solar system. Participants explore whether other solar systems in the Milky Way exhibit similar characteristics to that of our solar system, particularly in terms of the alignment of their orbital planes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the ecliptic plane of the Milky Way is nearly aligned with the ecliptic of the Sun, raising the question of whether other solar systems share this characteristic.
  • One participant asserts that the galactic plane is inclined by about 60 degrees relative to the ecliptic, challenging the notion of similarity between the two planes.
  • Another participant notes that in our solar system, most planets have equatorial planes that are somewhat aligned with the ecliptic, proposing that this might indicate a broader similarity at the galactic scale.
  • A different viewpoint mentions that at a conference, it was concluded that variations in angular momentum in molecular clouds are significantly larger than any alignment effects from the galactic disk, suggesting a lack of similarity on the galactic scale.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the alignment of the ecliptic planes, with some proposing potential similarities while others argue against it. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives present.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference angular momentum variations and their implications, but the discussion does not resolve the assumptions or definitions related to these concepts.

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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