Astro 11
Lab 11
- In this lab, you will learn how we are able to know our own location in the
Milky Way, as well as the structure of the Galaxy.
- For parts a and b, it may help to draw a circle around the major distribution of
globular glusters, and then find the center of that circle. This technique
should also help with part c.
- When searching for the spiral arms on page 92, remember that the circle you
see is a zoomed in view of the disk of the galaxy. In this view, we are at the
center of the circle, but the center of the galaxy is far off to the right,
outside of the circle. Since we are so zoomed in, don't expect the spiral arms
to look very curved.
- For question g, notice that the distances to the five stars are in parsecs,
while the circle on page 92 is in kiloparsecs. You'll have to do a unit
conversion.
- For question j, if you had read through the lab, you would know the
answer.
- When drawing in the spiral arms in the large circle for question k, on page
94, keep in mind that the circle on page 94 and the circle on page 92 are not to
the same scale. Also, the center of the circle on page 94 is the center of the
galaxy, but this is not true for the circle on page 92.
- For question l, make sure your drawing is to the same scale as question k.
Yes, you have enough room.
- For the summary, don't simply mention the parts of the Galaxy. Be sure to
explain how we know what we know about the Galaxy, among other important
concepts.