The Milky Way
Science: KS3, topic 3.6.4
The Milky Way Galaxy
Our galaxy is called the ‘The Milky Way.’ Our solar system is inside The Milky Way.
The Milky Way
- The Milky Way was formed 13.6 billion years ago.
- The Milky Way is moving just like the Earth moves around the Sun.
- There are over 100 billion stars in The Milky Way.
Constellations
- Polaris, The North Star, does not move across the night sky, unlike other stars.
- A constellation is a group of stars that form a pattern.
Common Constellations
- In the Northern Hemisphere, some of the most common constellations include:
- The Big Dipper (Ursa Major)
- The Little Dipper (Ursa Minor)
- Orion the Hunter
- Taurus
- Cassiopeia
Black holes
- One of the largest stars in The Milky Way is called Betelguese.
- Betelgeuse is overdue to explode in a supernova.
- After a star explodes as a supernova, it can form a black hole.
- There is a black hole in the centre of the Milky Way.
Alpha Centauri
- After the Sun, Alpha Centauri is our second nearest star.
- Alpha Centauri is 4.4 light years away.
- For contrast, the Sun is 8 light minutes away.
Test yourself on The Milky Way
What is in the centre of the Milky Way?
How do black holes form?
How far away is our second nearest star?