The new model shows a series of dense star streams, which are similar to the distribution of stars observed in our solar neighborhood. Freeman said the model allowed him and his colleagues to turn back the clock and determine when the galaxy that helped set off the ringing collided with the Milky Way. Although it is difficult to determine the exact size of the smaller galaxy, Freeman estimates that it would have been one-hundredth the size of the Milky Way. Freeman is eager to collect more data to further test the model and is awaiting the launch of a European satellite named Gaia, which is scheduled to launch in 2015. The orbiting telescope is expected to produce a massive increase in data. "Gaia is going to measure the motions of about a billion stars, and it won't be just stars nearby, but stars up to around 10 kiloparsecs [32,600 light-years] away," said Freeman. "We'll be able to measure motions on the other side of the center of the galaxy. It will be a revolution in collecting data." Related Links: |
advertisement
Put Discovery News on Your Site!
|
-
our sites
-
video
mobile
-
shop
-
stay connected
-
corporate
