The weight of the Milky Way. Can it be estimated with any accuracy?

[We Never Know]

Is there any point to this or just a waste of time and guesses?

A single solar mass weighs 2 x 10 to the power of 30 kilograms (66 pounds), or 2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms.

But the Milky Way weights 1.5 trillion times that mass – that’s about 3,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000kilograms.

Scientists were able to work out this astronomically high number by measuring the speed of globular clusters – dense groups of stars orbiting the Milky Way’s spiral disc.

Astronomers have figured out how much the Milky Way weighs

 

[Revoltingest]

Is there any point to this or just a waste of time and guesses?

My money is on it being worth doing.
I'm sure there are benefits, the very least of which is that it's interesting.

 

[We Never Know]

My money is on it being worth doing.
I'm sure there are benefits, the very least of which is that it's interesting.

Yes it's interesting and challenging. I'm just curious what others think.

 

[Yerda]

That's a lot of matter. I think my dog weighs about the same when he sleeps on the duvet.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

My money is on it being worth doing.
I'm sure there are benefits, the very least of which is that it's interesting.

I think the big benefits will be in getting the galaxy back into shape. It has to know its baseline weight to be able to set fitness targets. Sure it is 13.5 billion years old, but not too old to get in shape and look good for beach season. Just watch that dark matter intake, get plenty of rest, avoid foods heavy in black holes and neutron stars. The ladies love a galaxy that takes care of itself. The galaxy will have more confidence and will be fine tuning itself like the old days.

 

[Revoltingest]

I think the big benefits will be in getting the galaxy back into shape. It has to know its baseline weight to be able to set fitness targets. Sure it is 13.5 billion years old, but not too old to get in shape and look good for beach season. Just watch that dark matter intake, get plenty of rest, avoid foods heavy in black holes and neutron stars. The ladies love a galaxy that takes care of itself. The galaxy will have more confidence and will be fine tuning itself like the old days.

At least none of the other galaxies are picking on it for its weight.
And I expect a tryst with Andromeda soon.

 

[icehorse]

Is there any point to this or just a waste of time and guesses?

In my worldview, knowing stuff is good.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Okay, I'm going to be pedantic here: The mass of the Milky Way can be estimated; mass is different than weight...

 

[Revoltingest]

Okay, I'm going to be pedantic here: The mass of the Milky Way can be estimated; mass is different than weight...

Somehow, being a pedant with that avatar doesn't fully work.
But notice how being critical goes so well with mine.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Somehow, being a pedant with that avatar doesn't fully work.
But notice how being critical goes so well with mine.

well, not something that I'd be pedantic about...

 

[Dan From Smithville]

At least none of the other galaxies are picking on it for its weight.
And I expect a tryst with Andromeda soon.

That tryst is the talk around the water cooler. They were meant for each other.

Galaxy shaming. Terrible. Just terrible.

 

[Revoltingest]

That tryst is the talk around the water cooler. They were meant for each other.

Galaxy shaming. Terrible. Just terrible.

Shaming?
I call it porn...galactic porn.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Shaming?
I call it porn...galactic porn.

I was referring to Milkies weight issues.

As to the other, I hope there are some good shots of those globular clusters and at least an attempt at a story.

 

[Revoltingest]

I was referring to Milkies weight issues.

As to the other, I hope there are some good shots of those globular clusters and at least an attempt at a story.

Oh, the miscegenation & perversion of it all....black holes, white dwarves,
brown dwarves, red giants, spiral arms...be still my beating heart!

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Oh, the miscegenation & perversion of it all....black holes, white dwarves,
brown dwarves, red giants, spiral arms...be still my beating heart!

Don't mess with the brown dwarves. No weight. That was Woodstock and it was not dwarves. I meant wait instead of weight, but this is a heavy subject, so maybe that was appropriate.

 

[We Never Know]

In my worldview, knowing stuff is good.

Always.