A Mysterious Wave-Like Structure in Our Galaxy Found to Be Slowly Slithering

In recent years, scientists identified a vast, wave-shaped structure known as the Radcliffe Wave, stretching approximately 9,000 light-years along a spiral arm of the Milky Way, with its closest point just 500 light-years from the Solar System.

While much remains unknown about this star-forming gas formation, a team led by astrophysicist Ralf Konietzka from Harvard University has discovered a crucial aspect: the Radcliffe Wave is not static.

Contrary to a simple orbital motion around the galactic center, the Radcliffe Wave exhibits oscillations as a periodic traveling wave.

The improvement in our understanding of the Milky Way’s three-dimensional properties is attributed to the Gaia project. Gaia, a spacecraft sharing Earth’s orbit, has meticulously mapped the Milky Way, employing parallax to precisely measure stars’ positions in three dimensions.

Furthermore, it measures properties such as proper motion and velocity, providing the most accurate map of the Milky Way to date, Science Alert reported.

READ MORE: https://www.sciencealert.com/a-mysterious-wave-like-structure-in-our-galaxy-found-to-be-slowly-slithering

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