Friday, April 11, 2008

Comparing Solar Systems and Galaxies

There are thousands of bodies of mass in the universe. These bodies of mass can range from giant galaxies to an individual solar system or even just a single star. Have you ever looked up at the stars at night and just wondered what was up there? Well, there's a lot up there.

A solar system can be defined as a system of bodies orbiting around a star. Solar systems can also have several other systems that are located in them. In our solar system, we have several systems. These systems are the planets and the moons or satellites that surround and orbit around them. These systems revlove around the sun in elliptical motions. These motions follow all of the laws of physics. They each revolve around the sun, and each have their own revolution.

In these solar systems, there can be several types of bodies. There can be physical, terrestial bodies, or there can be gas bodies. An example of a terrestial body is the earth. The earth is made of rock with a metallic core. An example of a gas body is Jupiter. There is no metallic center, and there is a very low density. There can also be smaller bodies in the solar system. These include astroids, comets, and meteors. These can range in materials and origin. These are formed when a star is formed. When there is an explosion that forms a star, the matter that surrounds it gets superheated and begins to form into bodies. These bodies then cool down and eventually morph into what we call planets.

Galaxies are the other major part of the universe.

There are several types of galaxies, they come in different shapes due to gravity. There are Elliptical Galaxies, Spiral, Lenticular, and irregular galaxies. Elliptical Galaxies are low density and have very little matter inside them. They range greatly in size, yet are some of the oldest in the universe. Spiral Galaxies have a largely dense outer area that is full of dust and other gases. There are characteristic arms that branch off from the center of the galaxy. But the center is full of stars, yet devoid of other matter. A Lenticular is sort of a mix between a Spiral and a Elliptical galaxy. There is a large bulge in the center, yet there are no arms. They have been called armless spirals. Irregular Galaxies are the oddballs of the bunch. There are no distinct characteristics, and they have any shape imaginable. The main difference between a solar system and a galaxy is that in a galaxy, there aren't any bodies that surround a center star. There also is no center star in a galaxy, there are thousands in the center.

Galaxies form from a mix of gases that begin to rotate, and as they rotate, gravity forms. This gravity forms a center that causes the gases to collapse inward. They then increase in rotation, which forms a galaxy. So next time you look up at the stars, you can know what is really up there and where they come from.

7 comments:

Lindsey said...

I think your post really shows your personality, yet is still educationally formatted. I think it is interesting how you included the fact that the motions are elliptical and follow the laws of physics. I enjoyed that you discussed the fact of different types of bodies of mass. Your examples are always very pertinent and useful in understanding the concepts you describe. I really enjoyed reading your post and the format you used for this blog entry. You did an excellent job, Billy!
~Lindsey~

RachelA said...

Billy,
Excellent post! I really enjoyed the way you put a lot of personal thought in the beginning and throughout the entire post. I also learned a lot more about galaxies through your post. Keep up the great and informative job!!

*RaCheL

Doobinator said...

Well done Sir William. You did good on the explanation of solar systems and galaxies.

Dustin

MS. Eder said...

Excellent post. You go into a lot of detail, and that's great! Your explantion of the difference and similarities of solar systems and galaxies was extensive. I really like that you added some names. It almost gives the planets and such, personalities.

Keri said...

Way to go Billy, you did really well once again. I thought your blog was really inciteful and look forward to reading more of them. Great Job

Keri

MHellTull30 said...

As always, great job! I look forward to your blog because they do not just present the information, they also show the person behind them. Instead of making it text book boring, you add your own comments along the way. The information is still presented tastefully, yet dynamically.
Excellent!

Fabulously yours,
Megan

Jme said...

jeeze bill, way to go over achieving again. I think next time I'll skip your blog because there is just waaaaay to much to read. lol! I mean it as a compliment, great job!