linear galaxy...

[ibelieveinyou]

Hi, I am Dave from Hobbs, NM.
Great site.
I am new to all this, so please forgive my naivete.
First question: If our Milky Way galaxy is linear, how did Voyager I and Voyager II get through the Asteroid Belt?
Second question: Again, if our Milky Way galaxy is linear, then how is the Oort Cloud spherical?
Thank you for your time reading this. I look forward to your responses!

[gyro]

If our Milky Way galaxy is linear, how did Voyager I and Voyager II get through the Asteroid Belt?

It is a matter of scale, fortunately, the asteroid belt is so huge that, despite its large population of small bodies, the chance of running into one is almost vanishingly small - far less than one in one billion. That means that if you want to actually come close enough to an asteroid to make detailed studies of it, you have to aim for a specific asteroid.

There is still a lot of conjecture and hypothesis regarding the size of the Ort cloud, I have seen references to it extending between 1 to 3 light years. This may seem appreciable in terms of our Solar system but is insignificant within the size of the Milky Way.

This site will give you an idea of the scales involved.

http://atlasoftheuniverse.com/12lys.html

[Radar]

G'day Dave,

Thanks for posting these questions again.

What Gyro said about the Asteroid belt is spot on. These objects are too far apart to cause any real danger.

With the Oort cloud question, our galaxy is linear, but the gravitational waves emitted from our host star the sun is sperical. The Oort cloud will assume our suns gravitational shape and not the Milky Ways because our Sun is the dominating gravitational force in this area of the Milky Way.

What kind of scope do you own Dave?

Ray

[ibelieveinyou]

Ray,
Thanks for the input.
My mistake was that I wrote m w galaxy instead of solar system.
I think one thing and write another.
However, you did answer the question...thanks.
Okay, now that you told me that our Sun's gravitational field is spherical,
that could only mean that the strongest gravitational pull is in spin mode.
This would result in our planets being pulled in a linear fashion and the Oort
Cloud (being 1-3 ly away) is pulled, but in a weaker field, thus circular.
It does make sense.
I will continue to learn - it is half the fun.
Presently, no telescope on hand, but I gaze up every night and read as much as I can.
The premise for my curiousity for astronomy is:
"There has got to be more to all this, than all this."
e.g. television, earthly materialism, the lifespan of humanity, etc...

[Radar]

Presently, no telescope on hand, but I gaze up every night and read as much as I can.

Do you have a set of binoculars on hand Dave? You'll be surprised what you can see with these things. They are also great for just scanning the sky from a dark location and learning where all the clusters and nebulas are.


"There has got to be more to all this, than all this."
e.g. television, earthly materialism, the lifespan of humanity, etc...

Astronomy is pretty awesome isn't it. Some people never understand what the big deal is, some of us live it. :smile:

Ray

[LJF]

I just thought i might put som input in here.

Overall our solar system, galaxy could be linear. That doesn' t mean that you can't have rotund objects in there.

For example, i you would take a bag of oranges and organize them into concentric rings. The oranges themselves are circular, but the pattern is linear.

(I i find a pic of what im talking about i'll show you.)

[gyro]

that could only mean that the strongest gravitational pull is in spin mode

I am not sure if you mean the spinning Sun has a stronger gravity field than if it were stationary........that would be incorrect. The strength of it's field is proportional to it's mass and and does not vary with it's rotation.

[Radar]

I am not sure if you mean the spinning Sun has a stronger gravity field than if it were stationary........that would be incorrect. The strength of it's field is proportional to it's mass and and does not vary with it's rotation.

I think Gyro's view is right on this. Gravity is directly proportional to the mass of an object. My stomach is starting to have it's own gravity. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Ray

[gyro]

My stomach is starting to have it's own gravity.

Please don't confuse him Radar.....it always did but you are introducing "relative mass" vs age....is he ready for this yet. :wink: :wink: :wink:

[Radar]

Please don't confuse him Radar.....it always did but you are introducing "relative mass" vs age....is he ready for this yet. :wink: :wink: :wink:

My stomach is like a black hole. It seems to absorb everything, even beer. :biggrin:

[gyro]

My stomach is like a black hole. It seems to absorb everything, even beer. :biggrin:

Ray, it is the "dunny" visits that spoil the analagy.....unless there is a cluster of 'Foster cans' out there adding to 'Dark Matter' :wink: :wink: :wink:

[Radar]

Ray, it is the "dunny" visits that spoil the analagy.....unless there is a cluster of 'Foster cans' out there adding to 'Dark Matter' :wink: :wink: :wink:

lol, very good mate.

The beer liquids are emitted like a jet of charged particles every few hours.

http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/bin/space/black-hole-3.jpg

[Tenacious Del]

you guys should right a book. :crazy:

[ibelieveinyou]

Finally got a telescope.
I am happy again.
It is a:
ETX-60AT-BB Backpack Observatory
Still trying to figure out all the specifications,
but so far, it is out of this world.
With the easy align program, it can automatically find
objects in the sky.
Like I said, I have not figured out exactly how to program it,
but I will, afterall, ibelieve.
Thanks for all your input of late.

[hpcoolahan]

Congrats Dave:woot: :woot:
I think they are a good first scope , and you cant beat portability can you.

They (i think) have a similar align and goto capability as a lx90, so it will find heaps for you with the goto function.

Good hunting

Pat

[LJF]

I think Gyro's view is right on this. Gravity is directly proportional to the mass of an object. My stomach is starting to have it's own gravity.

Ray

Boy do i know what ur talking about.:itsme!:


My stomach is like a black hole. It seems to absorb everything, even beer.

My stomach absorbs everything too. Excepth beer of coures.:Oh_No: