From the January 2004 Scientific American Magazine | 1 comments

Our Growing, Breathing Galaxy: Conscious of Streams ( Preview )

By Bart P. Wakker and Philipp Richter

More from the Magazine

January
2004 Issue
Puzzling Adventures January 2004 Puzzle Solution
Voyages A Great Echelon of Birds
Staking Claims In Search of Better Patents
Buy the Digital Edition

Most of the Milky Way is as thoroughly mixed as a well-stirred gravy. Two stars that originated in the same region may be located in completely different parts of the sky today. But during the past few years, astronomers have found groups of stars that move in unison, forming what they call stellar streams. They are like lumps that a cook has just thrown into a pot but that have not had time to mix in.

The streams are believed to be the remnants of satellite galaxies of the Milky Way that were torn apart by tides, the same process that formed some of the high-velocity clouds. The streams thus trace a flow of stars from dwarf galaxies to the Milky Way. They differ from the Magellanic Stream, which consists of gas rather than stars. They represent independent evidence for the ongoing growth of our galaxy.

Already a Digital subscriber? Sign-in Now
If your institution has site license access, enter here.

Read Comments (1) | Post a comment

You Might Also Like

Discuss This Article

Click here to submit your comment.

VIEW:



	Email:
	Name:
	Address:
	Address 2:
	City:
	State:

Subscription Center

Editor's Pick

Adapting to the Freshwater CrisisForward-thinking experts are getting a better handle on the growing global water shortage and coming up with innovative approaches to ensuring the security, safety and sustainability of this resource