help

How Long Does it Take the Sun to Orbit the Center of our Galaxy?

-- | November 1, 2015

Question: How long does it take our sun to complete a full orbit around the super blackhole at the center of the Milky Way? — Dustin

Answer: We can calculate this value by noting that the Sun is about 8 kilo-parsecs, or about 2.5×10^(17) km, from the center of our galaxy and travels at a speed of about 225 km/sec around the center of the galaxy. Assuming that the Sun’s orbit about the center of the galaxy is circular, we know that the circumference of that circular orbit is 2*pi*r, where r is the distance from our Sun to the galactic center. Since distance = rate * time, we know that time = (2*pi*r)/rate = (2*pi*2.5×10^(17) km)/220 km/sec =~ 225 million years.

Jeff Mangum

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Linkedin

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.