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The Milky Way Is Weighed

Posted May 28, 2008 10:13 AM

From SPACE.com:

The Milky Way galaxy weighs about 1 trillion times as much as our sun, according to a new estimate. Previous estimates had ranged from 750 billion solar masses to up to 2 trillion. Lately, researchers have been leaning toward the higher figure. But now astronomers have used a more refined method to conclude that our galaxy's mass is slightly less than 1 trillion solar masses.

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Dragonsfarm
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#1

Re: The Milky Way Is Weighed

05/28/2008 11:15 PM

Beautiful, and humbling.

Dragon

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U V
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#2

Re: The Milky Way Is Weighed

05/29/2008 1:08 AM

And what is the estimated margin of error in billions of solar masses?

A 2400 star sample to extrapolate how many hundred billion stars plus other matter?

It is a move in the right direction but a lot of unstated SWAG factor.

Even at 750 billion solar masses, humbling.

The name of "Space" is to appropriate.

Brad

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Sparkstation
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#3

Re: The Milky Way Is Weighed

05/29/2008 7:11 AM

There is the statement written there:

<"...."The total mass of the galaxy is hard to measure because we're stuck in the middle of it,"....">

Excuse me, we must have quickly moved from our recent position of 2/3 of the way out from the Galactic centre, along a spiral arm which is not well populated with stars.

Guess that chap forgot, or the journalist made an error.

Kind Regards....

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