Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
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Textbook Question
Chapter 26, Problem 6E
What are the two best ways to measure the distance to a distant, isolated spiral galaxy, and how would it be measured?
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How astronomers determine the distance of a galaxy? Explain.
Use the photo to answer the question.
If an observer looked out from a planet near the center of this galaxy, what would it look like to that observer?
O A broad band of stars forming a ring around the planet
O A sphere of stars evenly spread in every direction
O A spiral shape with arms reaching out from a center
O A band of stars in one direction, with fewer stars in other directions
Each point on the above diagram shows the line-of-sight recession velocity versus distance for a number of distant galaxies. Describe how the recession velocities of galaxies are measured by astronomers. Explain the different techniques used by astronomers to measure the distances to galaxies, and describe how these methods are used to construct the distance ladder.
Chapter 26 Solutions
Astronomy
Ch. 26 - Describe the main distinguishing features of...Ch. 26 - Why did it take so long for the existence of other...Ch. 26 - Explain what the mass-to-light ratio is and why it...Ch. 26 - If we now realize dwarf ellipticals are the most...Ch. 26 - What are the two best ways to measure the distance...Ch. 26 - What are the two best ways to measure the distance...Ch. 26 - Why is Hubble’s law considered one of the most...Ch. 26 - What does it mean to say that the universe is...Ch. 26 - Was Hubble’s original estimate of the distance to...Ch. 26 - Does an elliptical galaxy rotate like a spiral...
Ch. 26 - Why does the disk of a spiral galaxy appear dark...Ch. 26 - What causes the largest mass-to-light ratio: gas...Ch. 26 - What is the most useful standard bulb method for...Ch. 26 - When comparing two isolated spiral galaxies that...Ch. 26 - If all distant galaxies are expanding away from...Ch. 26 - Is the Hubble constant actually constant?Ch. 26 - Where might the gas and dust (if any) in an...Ch. 26 - Why can we not determine distances to galaxies by...Ch. 26 - Which is redder-a spiral galaxy or an elliptical...Ch. 26 - Suppose the stars in an elliptical galaxy all...Ch. 26 - Starting with the determination of the size of...Ch. 26 - Suppose the Milky Way Galaxy were truly isolated...Ch. 26 - Suppose you were Hubble and Humason, working on...Ch. 26 - What does it mean if one elliptical galaxy has...Ch. 26 - Based on your analysis of galaxies in Table 26.1,...Ch. 26 - Can a higher mass-to-light ratio mean that there...Ch. 26 - According to Hubble’s law, what is the recessional...Ch. 26 - A cluster of galaxies is observed to have a...Ch. 26 - Suppose we could measure the distance to a galaxy...Ch. 26 - Calculate the mass-to-light ratio for a globular...Ch. 26 - Calculate the mass-to-light ratio for a luminous...
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- What are the two best ways to measure the distance to a nearby spiral galaxy, and how would it be measured?arrow_forwardCan an elliptical galaxy evolve into a spiral? Explain your answer. Can a spiral turn into an elliptical? How?arrow_forwardThe first clue that the Galaxy contains a lot of dark matter was the observation that the orbital velocities of stars did not decreases with increasing distance from the center of the Galaxy. Construct a rotation curve for the solar system by using the orbital velocities of the planets, which can be found in Appendix F. How does this curve differ from the rotation curve for the Galaxy? What does it tell you about where most of the mass in the solar system is concentrated?arrow_forward
- Given the ideas presented here about how galaxies form, would you expect to find a giant elliptical galaxy in the Local Group? Why or why not? Is there in fact a giant elliptical in the Local Group?arrow_forwardOne way to calculate the size and shape of the Galaxy is to estimate the distances to faint stars just from their observed apparent brightnesses and to note the distance at which stars are no longer observable. The first astronomers to try this experiment did not know that starlight is dimmed by interstellar dust. Their estimates of the size of the Galaxy were much too small. Explain why.arrow_forwardWhat does it mean if one elliptical galaxy has broader spectrum lines than another elliptical galaxy?arrow_forward
- When comparing two isolated spiral galaxies that have the same apparent brightness, but rotate at different rates, what can you say about their relative luminosity?arrow_forwardIf the diameter of the Milky Way Galaxys visible disk, 80,000 ly, is represented in a model by a dinner plate with a diameter of 10 inches, what is the model distance to galaxy M31, 2.6 millionly away? What is the model distance to the Virgo galaxy cluster, 16 Mpc away? (Convert answers to feet.)arrow_forwardIf we now realize dwarf ellipticals are the most common type of galaxy, why did they escape our notice for so long?arrow_forward
- Explain where in a spiral galaxy you would expect to find globular clusters, molecular clouds, and atomic hydrogen.arrow_forwardDoes an elliptical galaxy rotate like a spiral galaxy? Explain.arrow_forwardDescribe how you might use the color of a galaxy to determine something about what kinds of stars it contains.arrow_forward
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