The Milky Way is warped and twisted around, scientists discover

[Judi Lynn]

Breakthrough finally shows our galaxy is not flat or stable as expected

Andrew Griffin
9 hours ago



Artist's impression of the warped and twisted Milky Way disk ( CHEN Xiaodian )


Our galaxy is twisted and warped, scientists have said after a shock discovery.

The Milky Way that surrounds us has long been presumed to be relatively stable and flat. But scientists have accurately mapped the galaxy for the first time, and found that it becomes increasingly warped and twisted towards the edges.

It has been notoriously difficult to see the shape of our own galaxy, even as we have mapped others in detail. We are stuck inside of it and it is difficult to see: scientists liken the experience of measuring the Milky Way to standing in your garden and trying to work out what shape your country is.

Now researchers have used 1339 stars to create a map that reveals the true shape of our galaxy. They found that the disc of stars twists up as it approaches the edges, far from the flat shape that scientists have seen in other galaxies.

More:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/milky-way-galaxy-shape-twisted-warped-scientists-disc-a8762636.html

[Me.]

1. So Far We're Living Up To Those Warped & Twisted Edges

[mbusby]

2. No wonder...

...I felt dizzy.

[Delmette2.0]

3. I really wish that the U.S. news would do stories on this.

There seems to be U.K. science stories on a regular basis. If Americans had more exposure on world wide science news maybe we wouldn't have flat earthers and anti-vaxers.

[BadgerKid]

4. If researchers have a map, why

Bother with an artist's impression?