What is the circumference of the Milky Way?

1 Answer
devi f.
Mar 22, 2018

The perimeter of an ellipse is to an approximation given by:

#2* pi sqrt( (a^2 +b^2)/2)# wher #a# and #b# are half the minor and major axis. .. See below.

Explanation:

The Milky Way is considered to be an ellipitcal galaxy with an estimated minor axis of 100,000 light years and a major axis of 175,000 light years.

The perimeter of an ellipse is to an approximation given by:

#2* pi sqrt( (a^2 +b^2)/2)# wher #a# and #b# are half the minor and major axis.

PLug in the values and work it out.

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