Scientists Investigate the Uniqueness of our Milky Way Galaxy

Milky Way Galaxy

Milky Way galaxy at 16 million to 13.7 billion years old. Credit: National Center for Supercomputing Applications

Researchers led by Stanford University astrophysicist Risa Wechsler are trying to determine how common our Galaxy is by comparing our Milky Way with similar galaxies. Their findings, published in the May 20 issue of the Astrophysical Journal, indicated that our Galaxy is not very common at all.

According to their research, supported in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF), only four percent of the other galaxies in the universe are very much the Milky Way galaxy in which we live.

“We are interested in how the Milky Way fits into the broader context of the universe”, said Wechsler. “This research helps us understand whether our galaxy is typical or not, and may provide clues to its formation history.”

The research team collected astronomical data using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). In their comparison, the scientists compared luminosity and distance to other bright galaxies. According to the report, galaxies that have two satellites that are as bright and close by as the Milky Way’s two closest satellites, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, are rare.

About D Robert Curry

D Robert Curry - with over 2 decades of experience in the IT sector and an avid aviator, Mr. Curry covers all Science & Technology and Aviation realted news stories. drcurry@newstaar.com