Multiwavelength Milky Way - Milky Way Theme
Topics in this section
Lesson plans available on-line from other sources
Other Sections:
The Nature of Light
Mapping the Sky
Our Solar System's Place in the Milky Way
Edge-On View
Face-On View
The Milky Way galaxy is the galaxy in which we live. It is is generally considered an Sbc-type galaxy. It has a central bulge of stars, and spiral arms of gas and stars in a disk.
We view the Milky Way essentially edge-on from our perspective near the plane of the disk and 28,000 light years from the Galactic center. The images presented are not of the entire sky, just a band stretching 10° above and 10° below the plane of our galaxy.
Where the images are taken
The following lesson plans are designed to help you learn more about the structure, shape, and size of the Milky Way galaxy. You will see how astronomers determined our solar system's location in the Milky Way, and learn about other objects found in our galaxy.
Topics:
I. The structure and shape of the Milky Way
A. Hubble's Tuning Fork Diagram
B. Stars, gas and dust
II. The Milky Way's size and our location in it
Lesson plans available on-line from other sources:
1. From NASA's Observatorium:
9-12 grade.
"Stars: An Introduction" -
Lesson on what stars are and what makes them shine.