Astronomers have learned more about the Milky Way through various observational techniques, such as mapping its structure using radio waves to trace hydrogen gas clouds and employing infrared telescopes to penetrate dust clouds obscuring visible light. The use of stellar parallax has enabled them to measure distances to nearby stars, providing insights into the galaxy's size and shape. Additionally, advancements in computer simulations and the study of galactic dynamics have helped scientists understand the Milky Way’s formation and evolution over time. Collaborative efforts, such as the Gaia mission, have further refined our understanding by creating detailed 3D maps of stars within the galaxy.
Astronomers study the Andromeda galaxy to learn more about how galaxies form and evolve, to understand the structure and composition of other galaxies beyond our own Milky Way, and to potentially gain insights into the future fate of our own galaxy.
Astronomers see the spiral arms of the Andromeda galaxy more clearly than those of the Milky Way because we are observing Andromeda from the outside, providing a better perspective of its entire structure. In contrast, we are inside the Milky Way galaxy, making it more challenging to discern its full spiral arm structure. Also, Andromeda is larger and more symmetrical than the Milky Way, enhancing the visibility of its spiral arms.
We (the carbon units who inhabit the Earth) have named our galaxy the "Milky Way". If there's anybody else out there, we have no idea what they call our galaxy, or whether they care.
Astronomers can see the spiral arms of the Andromeda galaxy more clearly than those of the Milky Way because Andromeda is tilted face-on to our line of sight, providing a clearer view of its structure. In contrast, we are positioned within the Milky Way galaxy, making it more challenging to observe its spiral arms due to our vantage point within the galaxy.
The realization that the Milky Way is a disk of stars was largely attributed to the work of astronomers in the 18th century, particularly Immanuel Kant. He proposed that the Milky Way was a vast collection of stars, which later observations by astronomers like William Herschel in the late 1700s provided further evidence for. Herschel's star counts and mapping of the Milky Way's structure helped reinforce the understanding of its disk-like shape.
Because we are inside of it.
by eyes
The Milky Way Galaxy.
Astronomers study the Andromeda galaxy to learn more about how galaxies form and evolve, to understand the structure and composition of other galaxies beyond our own Milky Way, and to potentially gain insights into the future fate of our own galaxy.
Astronomers see the spiral arms of the Andromeda galaxy more clearly than those of the Milky Way because we are observing Andromeda from the outside, providing a better perspective of its entire structure. In contrast, we are inside the Milky Way galaxy, making it more challenging to discern its full spiral arm structure. Also, Andromeda is larger and more symmetrical than the Milky Way, enhancing the visibility of its spiral arms.
We (the carbon units who inhabit the Earth) have named our galaxy the "Milky Way". If there's anybody else out there, we have no idea what they call our galaxy, or whether they care.
Astronomers can see the spiral arms of the Andromeda galaxy more clearly than those of the Milky Way because Andromeda is tilted face-on to our line of sight, providing a clearer view of its structure. In contrast, we are positioned within the Milky Way galaxy, making it more challenging to observe its spiral arms due to our vantage point within the galaxy.
The Milky Way was named when the early astronomers looked up at the night sky and saw a milky band of dim stars going across the sky.
Most of the observation astronomers make are inside our Galaxy. Of course we still find new things. The Milky Way is a very complex and diverse collection of celestial objects. We still have much to learn!
They don't. That's the job of astronomers.
No one knows the answer to that because astronomers haven't been able to explore any other galaxies besides the Milky Way.
The Milky way is a galaxy. A spiral galaxy, to be more precise.The Milky way is a galaxy. A spiral galaxy, to be more precise.The Milky way is a galaxy. A spiral galaxy, to be more precise.The Milky way is a galaxy. A spiral galaxy, to be more precise.