How Do We Know the Sun's Orbit Through the Galaxy?

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In summary, we determine the sun's orbit through the galaxy by observing other stars and calculating their distances from the center of the galaxy. This is made possible by IR telescopes and measuring redshift. In the past, debates about our position in the galaxy were fueled by limited visibility due to dust. Astronomers such as Hubble and Kaptain made their best guesses, but their accuracy was affected by this limitation.
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Mk
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How do we know the sun's orbit, through the galaxy?
 
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I think we look other stars see where there going then we calucate how far we are from the center of the galaxy and then we put the data togther and we find the orbit
 
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Thanks to IR telescopes we can see the center of the galaxy. And through redshift we can measure velocities of other stars and gauge our own velocities. Then a few simple formulas can answer a lot of questions.

But historically, our position in the galaxy caused great debate, with astronomers like Hubble and Kaptain (?sp) making their best guesses. Dust obscured their view of the galaxy's center, and hence caused inaccuracies in their guesses. Google their names for a better explanation.
 

FAQ: How Do We Know the Sun's Orbit Through the Galaxy?

1. How do we know the sun's orbit?

Scientists have been able to track the sun's orbit through observations and measurements over thousands of years. Astronomers use tools such as telescopes, satellites, and spacecraft to study the sun's movements in relation to other celestial bodies.

2. What evidence do we have for the sun's orbit?

There is abundant evidence for the sun's orbit, including ancient astronomical records, modern-day observations, and mathematical calculations. The laws of gravity and motion developed by Isaac Newton also support the concept of the sun orbiting around the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

3. How long does it take for the sun to complete one orbit?

The sun takes about 225-250 million years to complete one orbit around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. This is known as a galactic year and is based on the movement of stars and gas within the galaxy.

4. Can we observe the sun's orbit from Earth?

Yes, we can observe the sun's orbit from Earth through various methods. One way is by tracking the positions of stars in the sky and noticing their slight movements relative to the sun. We can also use instruments such as radio telescopes to detect the sun's location in the Milky Way galaxy.

5. How do we know that the sun's orbit is not perfect?

By studying the patterns of stars and other celestial bodies, scientists have been able to determine that the sun's orbit is not a perfect circle. It is actually slightly elliptical, meaning that the distance between the sun and the center of the galaxy varies slightly throughout its orbit. This can be observed through changes in the sun's speed and position in the sky.

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