Is the Milky Way unique or do other galaxies have these voids in their centers?

In summary, according to a paper published in 2016, the Milky Way has a large void at its center with fewer young stars than expected. This does not necessarily make it unique, as other similarly sized and aged spiral galaxies may also exhibit this phenomenon. However, it does suggest a need for a major revision in our understanding of our own galaxy. The area around the center of the Milky Way is devoid of young stars, and a supermassive black hole is present at its core, as is the case with most galaxies.
  • #1
wolram
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  • #2
It doesn't say there's a void, it says there are fewer young stars in the region.
 
  • #3
wolram said:
In this paper https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160801210354.htm it states that the Milky Way has a huge void at its center, i can not think of any other galaxy that shows such a void, so is our Milky Way unique
The thought of the milky way being unique seems to me to be prima facie absurd given that the observable universe alone has billions of galaxies.
 
  • #4
The bulge is known to be a region of low gas content/older stars - that this phenomena extends beyond the bulge is not terribly surprising. I'd be astounded if the don't eventually see the same phenomenon in other similarly sized and similarly aged spiral galaxies.
 
  • #5
There is no void at the very center. It states that there is a small collection of Cepheids in the heart of the Milky Way, but that area only has a radius of 150 light years. After that, 8000 light years is void of young stars. I doubt it's unique to the Milky Way, the same information could probably be applied to other galaxies like our own, but maybe not all of them.
 
  • #6
Bandersnatch said:
It doesn't say there's a void, it says there are fewer young stars in the region.
... around the centre

A major revision is required in our understanding of our Milky Way Galaxy according to an international team. Astronomers have found that there is a huge region around the center of our own galaxy, which is devoid of young stars

@wolram, you really did misrepresent/misunderstand what was written

rather at the centre of the Milky Way and as with many/most galaxies there is a supermassive black hole in the coreregards
Dave
 

Related to Is the Milky Way unique or do other galaxies have these voids in their centers?

1. What are voids in the center of galaxies?

Voids in the center of galaxies refer to areas within the galactic center where there is a lack of matter, such as stars and gas. These voids can range in size and can have a significant impact on the overall structure and dynamics of a galaxy.

2. Is the Milky Way the only galaxy with voids in its center?

No, the Milky Way is not the only galaxy with voids in its center. Many other galaxies, both spiral and elliptical, have been observed to have voids in their centers. However, the size and distribution of these voids can vary greatly between galaxies.

3. How do these voids form in the center of galaxies?

The formation of voids in the center of galaxies is still a topic of ongoing research. One theory suggests that these voids may be caused by the interactions and mergers of galaxies, which can disrupt the flow of gas and matter in the galactic center. Another theory proposes that the central black hole of a galaxy may play a role in creating and maintaining these voids.

4. Do voids in the center of galaxies have any impact on the evolution of a galaxy?

Yes, voids in the center of galaxies can have a significant impact on the evolution of a galaxy. These voids can affect the distribution of stars and gas, as well as the rate of star formation and the growth of the central black hole. They can also influence the dynamics of a galaxy, such as the rotation and stability of the galactic disk.

5. Are there any ongoing studies or observations of voids in the center of other galaxies?

Yes, there are ongoing studies and observations of voids in the center of other galaxies. With advancements in technology and telescopes, scientists are able to study these voids in greater detail and understand their role in the formation and evolution of galaxies. Additionally, ongoing surveys, such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, are continuously discovering new galaxies with unique void structures in their centers.

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