Charting Troubled Galactic Waters
BBC Sky at Night Magazine|November 2017

The origins of the never-seen stars on the outskirts of our Galaxy are causing problems for galactic researchers.

Chris Lintott
Charting Troubled Galactic Waters

The edge of the galactic disc is a complicated place, with the Milky Way’s own stars mixed with the remnants of myriad tiny satellites, ripped apart and consumed by our Galaxy’s gravity. A new paper by an international team uses data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to take a look at what might be just such a remnant, a structure known as Triangulum-Andromeda after the part of the sky in which it’s located.

This story is from the November 2017 edition of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2017 edition of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC SKY AT NIGHT MAGAZINEView All
Water, Water, Everywhere?
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Water, Water, Everywhere?

Penny Wozniakiewicz investigates why astronomers are so concerned with finding water in the Solar System, and why it is vital to our exploration of space

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2023
O&A WITH AN ECLIPSE CHASER
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

O&A WITH AN ECLIPSE CHASER

On 14 October 2023, an annular eclipse passed across mainland USA. Comedian and stargazer Jon Culshaw was there to witness it

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023
Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope

This beginners' package has everything you need to see the Sun, Moon and planets

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023
Ursa Major 6-inch f/8 Planetary Dobsonian
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Ursa Major 6-inch f/8 Planetary Dobsonian

A decent option for would-be planetary observers on a limited budget

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023
Use freeware to create star trail images
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Use freeware to create star trail images

How to turn your frames into beautiful star trail photos in a few clicks

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023
Venus's hostile atmosphere
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Venus's hostile atmosphere

Katrin Raynor takes a look at a planet where the skies boil and the clouds rain acid

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2023
Build your EYEPIECE COLLECTION
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Build your EYEPIECE COLLECTION

Great eyepieces are crucial to any astronomical setup. Here Tim Jardine arms you with the info you need to choose the best ones to invest in

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2023
THE BIG THREE
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

THE BIG THREE

The top sights to observe or image this month

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2023
The remains of CREATION UNDERSTANDING THE CMB
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

The remains of CREATION UNDERSTANDING THE CMB

Left over from the Big Bang, the cosmic microwave background gives astronomers an insight into the entire history of our Universe. Ezzy Pearson explains

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2023
A December GRAND TOUR
BBC Sky at Night Magazine

A December GRAND TOUR

Just like the epic journeys of the Voyager probes to our Solar System's outer planets, this tour takes you to the gas and ice giants as they line up in the night sky this month. Stuart Atkinson is your guide

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2023