Milky Way and Galaxy Characteristics

Professor Dave discusses the Milky Way, our home galaxy, within the context of the Virgo Supercluster and Local Group. He explains its structure, including its spiral arms, halo, and central bulge, and describes its satellite galaxies. The video covers the Milky Way's formation, its rotation, and its future collision with Andromeda. The formation of the solar system is also touched upon, highlighting the ongoing evolution of the galaxy.

Which galaxy is the largest in the Local Group?

• Virgo

• Andromeda

• Milky Way

• Pleiades

Approximately how many stars does the Milky Way contain?

• 200 billion to 400 billion

• 100 billion to 200 billion

• 400 billion to 600 billion

• 50 billion to 100 billion

What is the diameter of the Milky Way?

• 200,000 light years

• 100,000 light years

• 50,000 light years

• 10,000 light years

What type of stars are found in globular clusters?

• Population I stars

• Population III stars

• Population II stars

• Neutron stars

Which satellite galaxies are most prominent around the Milky Way?

• Sagittarius Dwarf and Canis Major Dwarf

• Small Magellanic Cloud and Large Magellanic Cloud

• Andromeda and Pleiades

• Virgo Cluster and Local Group

What is the predicted outcome of the collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda?

• No significant change

• Formation of a new spiral galaxy

• Formation of a new elliptical galaxy

• Destruction of both galaxies

What is the speed of stars outside the bulge of the Milky Way?

• 120 kilometers per second

• 220 kilometers per second

• 420 kilometers per second

• 320 kilometers per second

How old are the oldest stars in the Milky Way?

• Less than one billion years

• More than ten billion years

• A few million years

• A few billion years

How many stars are estimated to form in the Milky Way each year?

• 9 to 11 stars

• 1 to 2 stars

• 3 to 5 stars

• 6 to 8 stars

When did the formation of our solar system begin?

• Less than one billion years ago

• A little less than five billion years ago

• Around ten billion years ago

• More than fifteen billion years ago