Ariana is drawing a representation of the Milky Way galaxy. She wants to make sure it is the correct shape, and that she correctly labels both the object at the galactic center and the area of the galaxy where the Sun is located. What should she draw?

Question

She should draw a spiral galaxy. The center should be labeled “supermassive black hole.” The Sun should be placed on the Orion Spur, about midway between the center and edge of the galaxy.

She should draw an elliptical galaxy. The center should be labeled “supermassive black hole.” The Sun should be placed in the Large Magellanic Cloud, near the edge of the galaxy.

She should draw an elliptical galaxy. The center should labeled “neutron star.” The Sun should be placed in the Crab Nebula, about midway between the center and edge of the galaxy.

She should draw a spiral galaxy. The center should be labeled “neutron star.” The Sun should be placed on the Perseus Arm, near the center of the galaxy.

Answer 1

Ariana should draw a spiral galaxy. The center should be labeled “supermassive black hole.” The Sun should be placed on the Orion Spur, about midway between the center and edge of the galaxy.

This representation accurately depicts the Milky Way galaxy, which is a barred spiral galaxy featuring a supermassive black hole at its center (known as Sagittarius A*) and the Sun located in the Orion Spur, a minor arm of the galaxy.