Universe
Universe
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781319039448
Author: Robert Geller, Roger Freedman, William J. Kaufmann
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Chapter 22, Problem 1CC
To determine

The location of the Sun and the Earth in the galaxy as assumed by astronomers, if they observe that globular clusters were evenly spread across all parts of the sky.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1CC

Solution:

The astronomers would believe that the Earth and the Sun are near the center of a globular clusters and subsequently near the center of our galaxy.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

A globular cluster is a compact group of about a million stars that move around together in galaxies. Globular clusters are considered to be the oldest objects in the universe. It helps astronomers in determining the way in which the universe became what can be observed today.

Explanation:

The astronomers have observed that the globular clusters have a spherical distribution which has a center at a particular point. If the astronomers noticed that the globular cluster is evenly distributed in every direction, they would predict that the Earth and the Sun are near the center of the globular clusters. And, since the Earth and the Sun would be near the center of the globular clusters, it would be at the center of the galaxy.

Conclusion:

If our globular clusters appeared to be equally distributed in every direction, then the astronomers would believe that Earth and the Sun are near the center of the galaxy.

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You observe two randomly chosen stars 10,000 lightyears from Earth. One is in the disk of the Milky Way, the other in a direction perpendicular out of the disk. Compare the likely luminosity, doppler shift, metallicity, age, and color of these two stars.
What color is the center of this galaxy and why?
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