Was there a galactic alignment in 2012?

It won’t be happening in 2012. In fact, an alignment of Earth, the Sun, and the Galactic center will not happen for over 4 million years!

What is galactic alignment?

The Galactic Alignment is a rare astronomical event that brings the solstice sun into alignment with the center of the Milky Way galaxy every 12,960 years. The Galactic Alignment is a rare astronomical event that brings the solstice sun into alignment with the center of the Milky Way galaxy every 12,960 years.

Where were we in the Milky Way in 2012?

Bottom line: Earth didn’t physically cross the plane of our Milky Way galaxy in 2012, but Earth did cross the galactic equator. That’s nothing special! As seen from the sun, Earth does this every year – twice.

What is the galactic movement?

Galaxies rotate around their centers with the sections of the galaxy that are farther out from the galaxy’s center rotating more slowly than the material closer to the center. Galaxies are also moving away from each other due to the expansion of the Universe brought on by the Big Bang.

What is the right ascension of the galactic center?

Radio source Sagittarius A*, which is the best physical marker of the true galactic center, is located at 17h 45m 40.0409s, −29° 00′ 28.118″ (J2000)….Definition.

Center 0° longitude
Right ascension 17h 45.6m
Declination −28.94°
Constellation Sagittarius (in Sagittarius A)

Is the Galaxy planar?

It is always explained that solar systems and galaxies (but not clusters of galaxies) form planar discs.

When was the last time the universe aligned?

Because of the orientation and tilt of their orbits, the eight major planets of the Solar System can never come into perfect alignment. The last time they appeared even in the same part of the sky was over 1,000 years ago, in the year AD 949, and they won’t manage it again until 6 May 2492.

Is Earth in the Orion arm?

The Orion Arm is a minor spiral arm of the Milky Way Galaxy that is 3,500 light-years (1,100 parsecs) across and approximately 10,000 light-years (3,100 parsecs) in length, containing the Solar System, including Earth.

Can galaxies collide?

But that said, when galaxies collide, the consequences can be enormous. Galaxies collide in different ways. Sometimes a small galaxy will collide with the outer part of a larger one and either pass through or merge, in either case exchanging a lot of stars along the way.

Are galaxies expanding?

Answer. When scientists talk about the expanding universe, they mean that it has been growing ever since its beginning with the Big Bang. The galaxies outside of our own are moving away from us, and the ones that are farthest away are moving the fastest.

How is the galactic alignment related to the solstice?

(See the Glossary below for terms.) The Galactic Alignment is the alignment of the December solstice sun with the Galactic equator. This alignment occurs as a result of the precession of the equinoxes.

When does the equinox align with the galactic equator?

Likewise, the equinox axis aligns with the galactic equator every half precession cycle. Thus, galactic alignments, more generally speaking, occur in era 2012 (1980 – 2016) and every quarter precession cycle before and after era 2012.

What is the position of the Sun in relation to the Milky Way?

Position A is where the December solstice sun was in relation to the Milky Way some 3,000 years ago. Position B is 1,500 years ago. And position C is “era-2012”, when the December solstice sun has converged, as a result of the precession of the equinoxes, with the exact center-line of the Milky Way (the Galactic equator).

What is the vernal equinox point of the Milky Way?

The vernal equinox pointis defined by the intersection of the ecliptic and the celestial equator. The Celestial Equator:The earth’s equator projected into the stars. It is the plane of the earth’s rotation. The Cross formed by the Milky Way and the ecliptic:Exactly as stated.