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Explorations: Stars, Galaxies, and Planets
Thomas Arny, University of Massachusetts
The Milky Way Galaxy

Essay Questions



1

What would the Milky Way look like in the night sky to an observer on a planet at the very edge of the galaxy? What would it look like to an observer at the galactic nucleus?
2

How could we measure the mass of the Milky Way using a distant orbiting globular cluster?
3

Suppose the Sun were a population II star in the halo of the Milky Way. In what ways would that make studying the Milky Way easier?
4

Cut four circles of cardboard whose diameters are 2, 4, 6, and 8 inches. Fasten them together through their centers with a brass paper fastener. Draw a small circle near the edge of the 4-inch disk so that it cuts the other disks. Now turn the two innermost circles. Does this help you see how self-propagating star formation might make spiral arms?








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