Research Paper
The universe is such a vast spectacular place. It’s intriguing the information we have acquired over the years of our home galaxy, The Milky Way. There are so many different things that make the Milky Way galaxy so incredible. All of which make it a fascinating topic to learn more about. From our knowledge of its history to its age, surroundings and future. Some of the many things we’ve learned is the Milky Way Galaxy has a fairly typical barred spiral, around medium size and is 100,000 light years in diameter. In the center, 26,000 light years from Earth. is at least one supermassive black hole. Around 12 billion years ago is when the Milky Way began to form. It's a part of 50 galaxies near each other called the local group.
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Such as in Greek mythology, it was believed that when Hera’s spilled her milk while Heracles was suckling it is what created the Milky Way. In roman history the galaxy was called the Milky road instead because it reminded the roman people of milk. Also “ In China, the Milky Way is called “The Silver River.” In ancient Chinese myth, the river was placed in the heavens by the gods trying to separate a weaver who made their clothes and the herdsman who loved her” (Lehnardt, Karin). Even in Cherokee legend there is a story behind the Milky Way. According to them the galaxy was formed when a dog stole cornmeal, spilling it as he ran north. Therefore they called it “ The Way the Dog Ran …show more content…
A whole 10 to 15% in fact the rest of which is made up of its many stars. Scientist believe that we can only see 10% of its mass with the naked eye due to the belief that the other 90% is made of dark matter. This dark matter is the cause of the galaxy’s mysterious halo stretching for hundreds of thousands of light years, However it only contains about 2% the amount of stars found in the actual disk itself. “At the center of the galaxy is the galactic bulge. The heart of the Milky Way is crammed full of gas, dust, and stars” (Milky Way Galaxy:Facts about our Galactic Home). The dust is so thick in the bulge you can not even see