Where are we (our Solar System) in the Milky Way

[jenbojlee]

Hi All, I'm a newbie to this site and am wondering where our solar system is located within the Milky Way. Supposedly our massive Black Hole is in the center of the galaxy. How far away are we from there?

 

[Aetius]

Welcome to the nuthouse, Jenbojlee! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />Google is usually your friend when it comes to questions like these. I found this website which clearly explains it.

 

[docm]

The Sol system (the Sun) is located near the inner rim of the Milky Way's Orion arm, about 26,000 light years from the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. Far enough away that it doesn't affect us. See below.<br /><br />Total star count: 200-400 million depending on the source<br />Sol's orbital period: 225-250 million years<br />Number of Sol orbits since humans appeared: .0008<br /><br />Yes, the Milky Way is a barred spiral and not the "perfect" spiral you saw in school texts & most posters.<br /><br />2700x2700 *.jpg version of this pic (700k).... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[brellis]

thanks for the info, docm<br /><br />I marvel that astronomers have managed to ascertain the structure of the Milky Way, without sending a super-Voyager out to snap a pic! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[brellis]

Oh, and welcome, Jenbojlee! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[jenbojlee]

Thanks for the replies and Docm for the pic. I have just lately become completely fascinated with the Universe and how immense it is!

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Welcome to SDC. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />It is not just where we are & how far it is to the center. The direction we are facing in relation to the Galactic Center & the direction of our rotation in the Galactic Plane are important too. <br /><br /> Galactic View of our Solar System <br /><br />This thread should help answer some of your questions as well. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[ashish27]

cool pic!

 

[jenbojlee]

I can't believe it took me this long to get interested in this stuff. Luckily I discovered "The Universe" on the History Channel!

 

[nyrath]

http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/<br />http://www.projectrho.com/smap12.html