Question

Astronomical observations of our Milky Way galaxy indicate that it has a mass of about 8.0...

Astronomical observations of our Milky Way galaxy indicate that it has a mass of about 8.0 ✕ 1011 solar masses. A star orbiting near the galaxy's periphery is 5.7 ✕ 104 light-years from its center.

(a)

What should the orbital period (in y) of that star be?

(b)

If its period is 5.7 ✕ 107 years instead, what is the mass (in solar masses) of the galaxy? Such calculations are used to imply the existence of other matter, such as a very massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.

solar masses

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