2006-12-12 02:49:09 · 11 answers · asked by fuchtig 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Our galaxy is orbiting the Local Group of galaxies, which is itself orbiting the Virgo cluster.
But in both cases, the word "orbit" is a misnomer, because there hasn't been enough time in the history of the Universe for even one whole orbit. Eventually, many time the current age of the Universe, we will complete an orbit. Right now, it's more of a "falling in the general direction of" than "orbiting around".
2006-12-12 03:01:34 · answer #1 · answered by cosmo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Milky Way galaxy is part of what astronomers call the Local Group, which also includes Andromeda galaxy and some 30 other minor galaxies, which are satellites of either major galaxy. For example, the Magellanic clouds, visible in the southern skies, orbit the Milky Way galaxy. The two major galaxies, Milky Way and Andromedia are gravitionally bound, meaning that not only they are slightly orbiting each other, but are actually headed for a collision approximately 3 billion years in the future. The Andromeda galaxy, being considerably larger than the Milky Way galaxy, will disrupt the Milky Way galaxy, and it's likely that an elliptical galaxy will eventually form after this collision. Check the link below for an article about the Local Group.
Addendum: Brian K is right, the Milky Way galaxy is rotating about a massive black hole at its center. The next link is an CNN article about that.
Dragonlord Warlock's objection to galaxies is academic. Anytime you have two gravitionally bound masses, the odds are that there is a net angular momentum about the barycenter of the system. The Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies aren't heading EXACTLY towards each other, but going on slightly arched trajectories before the expected collision, and, yes, it will happen, even as the universe is still expanding. But full galactic orbits are rare, as Drag says.
2006-12-12 03:06:33 · answer #2 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Galaxies do not orbit they are moving away from the center of the known universe... possibility where the "big bang" started... they expanding unto the abyss of the emptiness of the universe.
That being said you do have interactions between galaxies but no specific central orbiting point.
2006-12-12 03:09:11 · answer #3 · answered by Dragonlord Warlock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our Galaxy is part of the "Local Group": 3 large galaxies and over 30 small ones. Members of the Local Group are listed at the first source. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is another member of the Local Group. M33 (Triangulum) is the third big one.
This Local Group has a centre of gravity and our Galaxy orbits this centre of gravity (in relation to the entire Local Group). The centre of gravity is somewhere close to midway between us and the Andromeda Galaxy.
The Wikipedia site is a good place to begin your exploration.
2006-12-12 03:05:10 · answer #4 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leading astronomers theorize that our galaxy is formed and rotates around a black hole. While astrophysics and observations of other galaxies support the idea that galaxies form around such phenomena, the black hole at the center of the Milky way has not been seen from within our galaxy and can not conclusively be proven to exist.
2006-12-12 05:19:47 · answer #5 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our galaxy can might as well be a small electron compaed tot he universe and the universe can be a whole world that houses unimaginable things. In theory this is unlikely but then again never can be proved now. It could be artificial made by ancient aliens or a natural source that was made by accident.
2006-12-12 03:57:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
expensive, The Milky way is rotating to The center of The Universe. After the great Bang, each and all of the situation and ability began to amplify, yet this enlargement has the top with the top of time. The 04 significant ability , that are the controller of each and every of the situation and ability, and the two the theories, Quantum theory and the great Bang, comes below those powers. those 04 ability working in one spot of the universe and that place is The center of The Universe.
2016-12-30 07:36:16 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think galaxies orbit. they rather just stay in the same place and gets affected by what else is out there but that is just my opinion
2006-12-12 02:51:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it is falling towards the center and moving at the same time.
2006-12-12 02:51:58 · answer #9 · answered by snfcricket 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they dont orbit anything but do spin clockwise i belive. It has to do with somethingabout when the were formed.
2006-12-12 02:55:00 · answer #10 · answered by john 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋