“Unlocking the Secrets of the Milky Way: 14 Astonishing Facts That Will Blow Your Mind!”
This orbit is called a “galactic year,” and our solar system has only made about 20 trips around the galaxy’s center since it formed. It’s a mind-bending reminder of just how ancient the Milky Way really is.
4. Dark Matter Holds It All Together
Only about 10% of the Milky Way’s mass is visible. The other 90%? Dark matter. This mysterious stuff doesn’t emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible. Yet, it’s essential, its gravitational pull holds the galaxy together.
Scientists are still trying to understand what dark matter is and how it works. For now, it’s enough to know that without it, the Milky Way wouldn’t look anything like it does today.
5. A Supermassive Black Hole Sits at the Center
In the middle of our galaxy lies a supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A. It’s about 4 million times more massive than the Sun and has a gravitational pull that influences the orbits of nearby stars.
While we can’t see Sagittarius A directly, we can observe how it affects the stars around it. Its presence helps scientists learn more about the role black holes play in the life and evolution of galaxies.
6. We’re Part of the Local Group
The Milky Way is part of a family of galaxies called the Local Group, which includes over 50 galaxies. Among them are the Andromeda Galaxy, the Triangulum Galaxy, and a bunch of smaller, dwarf galaxies.
