The unusual motion of stars in galaxies

In summary, the unusual motion of stars in galaxies is caused by the presence of dark matter, a type of matter that cannot be directly observed but exerts a gravitational force on stars. Scientists study this phenomenon through various methods and it has significant implications for our understanding of the universe. While dark matter is the most widely accepted explanation, alternative theories have been proposed but remain a subject of ongoing research.
  • #1
Wallsy
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Ive been lying in bed this morning wondering about the unusual motion of stars in galaxies.The whole disc rotating like a record at the same speed.Does it mean that the effects of gravity are simply altered by speed?Much like a wonder-wall.So the faster the speed of the object,or stars,the less gravity pulls downwards and the more it pulls sideways.Holding the stars in place.Just like a motor cyclist on a wonder wall?
 
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  • #2
Wallsy said:
Ive been lying in bed this morning wondering about the unusual motion of stars in galaxies.The whole disc rotating like a record at the same speed.Does it mean that the effects of gravity are simply altered by speed?Much like a wonder-wall.So the faster the speed of the object,or stars,the less gravity pulls downwards and the more it pulls sideways.Holding the stars in place.Just like a motor cyclist on a wonder wall?

 
  • #3
Wallsy said:
Ive been lying in bed this morning wondering about the unusual motion of stars in galaxies.The whole disc rotating like a record at the same speed.
Read up on the effects of Dark Matter.

I take it you didn't like the answers you received over a year ago in

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/the-bizarre-rotation-of-galaxies.931615/

The answers and the mechanism haven't changed and just asking the question again isn't going to make them change.
 
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  • #4
Wallsy said:
Ive been lying in bed this morning wondering about the unusual motion of stars in galaxies.The whole disc rotating like a record at the same speed.Does it mean that the effects of gravity are simply altered by speed?Much like a wonder-wall.So the faster the speed of the object,or stars,the less gravity pulls downwards and the more it pulls sideways.Holding the stars in place.Just like a motor cyclist on a wonder wall?

1. Galaxies do not rotate like a record. With a record, the parts further out have to travel faster in order to complete a revolution because they have to travel a larger circle in the same time. In galaxies with a flat rotation curve, the velocities of the stars don't change as you move outward in the disk. Thus the stars further out take longer to orbit the galaxy than the ones closer in, having to travel a longer distance at the same speed.

2. There are a couple of effects in play with the car on the wall. The wall is tilted at an angle so some of the outward centrifugal effect is given a upward component which works against gravity( which remains in full force and does not pull down any less). Then there is the friction between the car tires and wall. For the car to slip down the wall, the car would have to skid on its tires sideways against this friction. The outward centrifugal effect (or centripetal acceleration) increases the force between tire and wall, which increases the friction between them, making it so that the car has less of a tendency to succumb to the relentless pull of gravity and slide down the wall.
Neither of these effects have any bearing on stars orbiting in a galaxy.
 
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The Potato Radius: a Lower Minimum Size for Dwarf Planets

That interesting article explains the relationship between gravity, rotation and shapes.

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Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...
 
  • #7
phinds said:
I take it you didn't like the answers you received over a year ago in

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/the-bizarre-rotation-of-galaxies.931615/

The answers and the mechanism haven't changed and just asking the question again isn't going to make them change.
With the combination of the replies to the previous thread and the good follow-up answers in this new thread, the OP has plenty of reading to do. Thread will remain closed.
 

1. What is the unusual motion of stars in galaxies?

The unusual motion of stars in galaxies refers to the fact that stars within a galaxy do not move in a simple circular orbit around the center, as predicted by Newton's laws of motion. Instead, they exhibit a complex pattern of motion, including radial and tangential velocities, as well as vertical oscillations.

2. Why is the unusual motion of stars in galaxies important?

Studying the unusual motion of stars in galaxies can provide valuable insights into the distribution of mass within a galaxy. This can help us better understand the structure and evolution of galaxies, as well as the fundamental laws of physics that govern their behavior.

3. What causes the unusual motion of stars in galaxies?

The unusual motion of stars in galaxies is primarily caused by the presence of dark matter. This invisible form of matter exerts a gravitational pull on stars, causing them to move in ways that cannot be explained by the visible matter in the galaxy alone.

4. How do scientists study the unusual motion of stars in galaxies?

Scientists use a variety of techniques to study the unusual motion of stars in galaxies, including spectroscopy, which measures the Doppler shift of starlight to determine their velocities, and computer simulations, which can model the complex interactions between stars and dark matter in a galaxy.

5. What are the implications of the unusual motion of stars in galaxies?

The unusual motion of stars in galaxies has significant implications for our understanding of the universe. It provides evidence for the existence of dark matter, which makes up about 85% of the total matter in the universe. It also challenges our current theories of gravity and cosmology, and continues to be an active area of research in astrophysics.

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