Science
How many galaxies are in the universe?
The Milky Way is just a speck in a universe filled with an untold number of galaxies. But if we had to take an educated guess, how many galaxies are in the universe?
That sounds like a simple question, but it's anything but. The first problem is that even with our most powerful telescopes, we can see only a tiny fraction of the universe.
"The observable universe is only that part of the universe from which the light has had time to reach us," astrophysicist Kai Noeske, now outreach officer at the European Space Agency, told Live Science.
The universe is 13.8 billion years old, but the observable universe stretches more than 13.8 light-years in every direction. That's because the universe is expanding and light got a head start early on, when the universe was smaller.
"Now, the total size in each direction is about 46 billion light-years," Noeske said.
That's much smaller than even our smallest estimates of the entire universe. "We see at most 3% of the universe," Pamela Gay, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, told Live Science.
Related: Why are galaxies different shapes?
MCU's 'perfidious' witch | The Express Tribune
Patrick Mahomes contract details: Salary and years left with the Chiefs
In-demand Gyökeres issues transfer message for January window
Climbing Fans: A New Place to Boulder and More in Kingston
Philadelphia Flyers vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction 11-18-24 NHL Picks
-
Science2d agoWhy Risky Wildfire Zones Have Been Increasing Around the World
-
Science2d agoIt’s Time to Redefine What a Megafire Is in the Climate Change Era
-
Science3d ago4 Astronauts Return to Earth After Being Delayed by Boeing’s Capsule Trouble and Hurricane Milton
-
Science4d agoThe Elegance and Awkwardness of NASA’s New Moon Suit, Designed by Axiom and Prada
-
Science1w agoSpaceX Launches Its Mega Starship Rocket. This Time, Mechanical Arms Catch It at Landing
-
Science3w agoYou Won’t Want to Miss October’s Rare Comet Sighting. Here’s How and When You Can See It
-
Science1m agoA New Spacecraft Could Help Determine if There’s Life on a Moon of Jupiter
-
Science1m agoWe Can Thank Deep-Space Asteroids for Helping Start Life on Earth