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This Sparkling Galaxy Hides A Stellar Secret

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corpore-metal
05/04/09

In reply to This Sparkling Galaxy Hides A Stellar Secret
Actually the physics of galaxy formation and the mechanical forces behind their shape is one of the really tough unsolved problems in astronomy today. What forces come into play to make one galaxy a barred spiral as opposed to an elliptical? It turns out that knowing that gigantic black holes are the centers of most galaxies really isn't enough to figure all the dynamics out.
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crashedpc - Haifisch
05/04/09

@corpore-metal: Cosmic physics. That's science on a scale that I can't even come close to understanding. Props to the eggheads at NASA and other organizations!
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phoenix
05/04/09

@corpore-metal: You're absolutely correct. It's been a while since I had my nose in it, but the general premise is governed by simple rotational kinematics, but there are a number of variables that contribute to the galactic shape that are all but impossible to model. Now granted, these issues really just apply to spiral galaxies; we have a pretty good idea of how elliptical galaxies and irregular galaxies like globular clusters tend to form.
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NotChoinski
05/04/09

In reply to This Sparkling Galaxy Hides A Stellar Secret
Are you sure this isn't an image of Preppi-1985? All that's missing is the Alligator Nebula (aka Lacoste-1986)
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crashedpc - Haifisch
05/04/09

@NotChoinski: Man, that Lacoste-1986 polo costs 150 Galactic Dollars!
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capnrob
05/04/09

In reply to This Sparkling Galaxy Hides A Stellar Secret
Hm. Perhaps this could be the Terrible Secret of Space. Odd; I had thought more stairs would be involved.
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crashedpc - Haifisch
05/04/09

@capnrob: Hey, Elder Gods get tired climbing stairs, too.
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phoenix
05/04/09

@capnrob: please go stand by the stairs.
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crashedpc - Haifisch
05/04/09

In reply to This Sparkling Galaxy Hides A Stellar Secret
Mmmm... strawberry/blueberry black milk.
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GreyHammer
05/04/09

@crashedpc /sarcasm: looks liek bubblegum flavored icecream to me
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crashedpc - Haifisch
05/04/09

@GreyHammer: Need to find me a Ben and Jerry's RIGHT NOW, in Santa Clara. *goes off to google*
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BadUncle
05/04/09

@crashedpc /sarcasm: Looks more like one of those bubble tea things for teenage girls, in Hello Kitty pink.
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crashedpc - Haifisch
05/04/09

@BadUncle: *cough* But... But sometimes I drink bubble teas... in manly black tea.
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BadUncle
05/04/09

@crashedpc /sarcasm: I'm not impugning the manly kind, which you drink out of a spent anti-aircraft shell.
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