T: What Stars Are We Seeing Between Galaxies?

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In summary, most of the stars in the universe are inside galaxies, though there are a few that drift through intergalactic space. When we see stars outside of our galaxy, it is very likely that they are from a distant galaxy. However, observing solitary stars outside of galaxies is extremely difficult and rare. Recent research suggests that there may be more stars between galaxies than previously thought, but this is still speculative.
  • #1
thetexan
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Are there very many stars (percentage wise) between galaxies?

Or are most of the stars within galaxies?

I guess my main question is when we see stars that are not in our galaxy are we probably looking at a distant galaxy?Tex
 
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  • #2
The majority of stars are inside of galaxies, though there are some that get ejected and drift through intergalactic space.

thetexan said:
I guess my main question is when we see stars that are not in our galaxy are we probably looking at a distant galaxy?

Most likely, yes. Though keep in mind that it is very, very difficult to observe solitary stars outside of our own galaxy. Only the largest telescopes have the resolution and light gathering power to see them.
 
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  • #3
The only stars likely to exist outside of galaxies are those that have been ejected from their host galaxy via an encounter with a very massive body, like a black hole. As Drakkith noted, it is not easy to count extragalactic stragglers because individual stars are incredibly faint at intergalactic distances.
 
  • #4

1. What are stars between galaxies?

Stars between galaxies are individual stars that are not part of any galaxy. They exist in the vast expanse of space between galaxies, also known as intergalactic space.

2. How are stars between galaxies formed?

There are several theories on how stars between galaxies are formed. One theory suggests that they are formed from gas and dust that is ejected from galaxies during collisions or interactions between galaxies. Another theory proposes that they are formed from the gravitational collapse of large intergalactic clouds of gas and dust.

3. How many stars are between galaxies?

The exact number of stars between galaxies is unknown, as it is difficult to observe and study these stars. However, it is estimated that there are billions, if not trillions, of stars between galaxies in the observable universe.

4. Can we see stars between galaxies with the naked eye?

No, stars between galaxies are not visible to the naked eye. They are too far away and too faint to be seen without the aid of powerful telescopes.

5. Why are stars between galaxies important to study?

Studying stars between galaxies can provide valuable insights into the evolution and formation of galaxies. These stars can also help us understand the nature of dark matter and the distribution of matter in the universe. Additionally, studying stars between galaxies can help us better understand the structure and dynamics of the universe as a whole.

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