Astronomy question?

So here's a little thing I want clearing up, out of clear boredom if anything.

Space?

Go.

No, actually. What is the order of things? For example...

Solar System, Galaxy, Universe?

Just checking out http://www.google.com/sky/ and I'm confused, I've never really been sure how it works?

Is the Milky Way our solar system and we are in a bigger Universe and then there's just nothing, until you reach the next universe? Is there other solar systems in our Universe or are those spiral things solar systems?

Yes, this is basic stuff but god, I'm just confused slightly, lol.

Yes, correct order (SS -> G -> U, small to large). IIRC.

Milky Way = galaxy.
Other solar systems in our galaxy. I think.

Many other galaxies in the universe.

Dunno about beyond that, but yeah, nothing until the next one I guess!

Do sum lurnins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWVshkVF0SY

Ah cool. I'm glad it's not the stupidest question.

Yeah just checked it out further, I was right.

So what's in the center of the galaxy? Or is that the big question? Lol.

Quote: Leevil @ April 16 2008, 9:10 PM BST

So what's in the center of the galaxy?

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Sagittarius A*

I think it goes that we orbit the sun (obviously) our solar system orbits a black hole with all the other solar systems in our galaxy whilst our galaxy rotates through space away from the big bang with every other body. The fact that we are moving away from the big bang intimates we are moving into something that we don't actually know. (Treacle?) It was once thought that we would stop expanding and everything would start reversing until we got to the big crunch. But it turns out that we are accelerating too fast for that to happen.
There are apparently areas of dead space which aren't really dead because they are full of particles etc being pulled between the galaxies (I think). But I'm sure someone on this site will know more with certainty.
Oh yes I think it has also been said that if you keep going in one direction in the universe you will eventually end up where you started. Bit like life really!

Lol, thanks roscoff. I did do some research myself and it makes some sense now.

But still, good to read wot u just wrote.

String theory taken to its logical conclusion suggests that everything is connected to everything else in the universe. We're just not able (as yet) to detect the invisible dimensions containing the strings comprising the missing mass of the universe we know has to be there.

Fascinating.

Charley has all the dimensions in her Vagina. That's what Stephen Hawkins told me.

It's certainly no worm hole.

Quote: Aaron @ April 16 2008, 9:06 PM BST

Many other galaxies in the universe.

Dunno about beyond that, but yeah, nothing until the next one I guess!

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just to correct the last bit 'Universe' = everything that exists.

Therefore, there is no next one as far as the definition goes.

That said, we can only see/detect a tiny fraction of the universe so who knows? the enormity of it is beyond comprehension in some ways.

The 'missing bits' that Roscoff and someone else mentioned are normally referred to as ''Dark Matter''. There is still great debate about this because it is a major force>
See if I can get this right> we can't see it but we know it is there because something substantial has to be having an effect on universal bodies (gravitational effect type stuff I think). Reason for debate is that the level of its effect is so substantial that it can't really just be dust? It is huge, many times more than the objects we are able to see by all optical means. So what is it?

The reason the effect is so relevant is that we have been able to establish the expansion due to the 'Big Bang' - and anything involved will be affected by all the other contents involved.

How do we know it was a 'Big Bang' - Ah, this bit I remember for sure cos it tickled me to understand it. We know cos we have been known to make 'bangs' ourselves.

In an explosion all matter behaves in a uniform way. If, just after detonation one particle is 5m from the centre and another is 10m from centre >> then when the outer particle reaches 20m the inner particle will be at 10m - See? Not only has the distance doubled from the source but the distance has duobled between the particles!

The same effect has been measured for visible bodies in the universe (very big tape measure) - so we know it was a bang thang.

So what happens if the Universe comes to a halt and an end? Well I s'pose Asda will do Sunday hours or something.

Don't let it keep you awake Leevil.

Nicely explained, thanks.

Although... 'Dark matter' is, quite clearly, actually magic.

What he said. (Thing.)

I love thinking about space!

It's more than a little terrifying.

Quote: Aaron @ April 17 2008, 12:07 AM BST

Nicely explained, thanks.

Although... 'Dark matter' is, quite clearly, actually magic.

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No that's jism on a night vision camera

Quote: zooo @ April 17 2008, 12:10 AM BST

I love thinking about space!

It's more than a little terrifying.

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Agree. It's got lots of science about it but no ones quite sure what the hells going on out there. But we can all see it for ourselves. It 'aint locked away in a lab.