Astronomical observations of our Milky Way galaxy indicate that it has a mass of about 8 ✕ 1011 solar masses. A star orbiting near the galaxy's periphery is 6.0 ✕ 104 light years from its center.(a)What should the orbital period (in y) of that star be? y(b)If its period is 6.9 ✕ 107 y instead, what is the mass (in solar masses) of the galaxy? Such calculations are used to imply the existence of "dark matter" in the universe and have indicated, for example, the existence of very massive black holes at the centers of some galaxies. solar masses

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Answered: Astronomical observations of our Milky…

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text

5th Edition

ISBN:9781133104261

Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett

Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett

Chapter1: Introduction And Vectors

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 56P: The distance from the Sun to the nearest star is about 4 1016 m. The Milky Way galaxy (Fig. P1.56)...

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Astronomical observations of our Milky Way galaxy indicate that it has a mass of about 8 ✕ 10¹¹ solar masses. A star orbiting near the galaxy's periphery is 6.0 ✕ 10⁴ light years from its center.

(a)

What should the orbital period (in y) of that star be?

(b)

If its period is 6.9 ✕ 10⁷ y instead, what is the mass (in solar masses) of the galaxy? Such calculations are used to imply the existence of "dark matter" in the universe and have indicated, for example, the existence of very massive black holes at the centers of some galaxies.

solar masses

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