The universe is so large that scientists believe that there are over two billion galaxies glimmering throughout space. Earth calls one very special galaxy home and that galaxy is the Milky Way. Many city dwellers don’t get to see the Milky Way and some children have never seen it at all because of urbanization and light pollution. But, once those nasty, artificial night light polluters are gone, one can see the very end of the galaxies spiraling tail. This essay will cover a few interesting facts about the Milky Way and how modern society effects populations around the globe in restricting its view to many.
Size and Shape
Galaxies come in several shapes, sizes and all are unique. Astronomers use the Hubble Sequence, also known as the Hubble tuning fork diagram, to identify those shapes. The Hubble Sequence classifies galaxies as elliptical, spiral, barred spiral and irregular. Within those shapes are sub-classifications that help define the galaxy a little better. Edwin Hubble invented the Hubble Sequence in 1926 (Redd). The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy, which means it looks like a perfect spiral but there is a bar in the center, as seen in image A.
Photo courtesy of NASA
The Milky Way is approximately 100,000 light years across. Since the Milky Way is a barred spiral, it has arms and it’s most popular arm, seen in many dark skies, is found in the constellation Sagittarius (Redd). There are over 200 billion stars in the Milky Way and the galaxy doesn’t just include our solar system made up of eight planets. Astronomers believe that there are billions of solar systems in our galaxy. So far, 500 solar systems have been identified though astronomers are discovering more each day.
Light Pollution
Light pollution effects stars gazing significantly and especially in large, metropolitan areas. Because of light pollution, many stars, comets, planets and the tail of the Milky Way are not able to be seen because they are outcasted by a bubble of artificial light hovering over the atmosphere. The upcoming generation hasn’t had the gift of seeing the Milky Way because the planet is becoming more and more industrialized. The International Dark Sky Association (darksky.org) is working relentlessly to raise awareness on how people in cities and in their very own communities can make a difference with proper night lighting and spreading the word.
In conclusion, the Milky Way is a massive spiral of pure beauty and spectacle. It’s gas and dust is a celestial wonder filled with mystery and endless information. This gigantic barred spiral is the place Earth calls home.
Works Cited
"How Many Solar Systems Are in Our Galaxy?" NASA Space Place. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
Redd, Nola Taylor. "Milky Way Galaxy: Facts About Our Galactic Home." Space.com. 22 Feb. 2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
Redd, Nola Taylor. "Edwin Powell Hubble: Biography." Space.com. 12 May 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
