Are Galaxies Like Solar Systems?

One such mystery is whether galaxies orbit any objects in the same way that planets orbit stars in a solar system.

The short answer is no. Galaxies do not orbit single objects like our Sun in a solar system. This is because galaxies are vastly different from solar systems in terms of their mass and structure. Let's take a closer look at why this is the case.

Galactic Mass Distribution

Galaxies are enormous collections of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. The mass of a galaxy comes from the combined mass of everything within it, not a single central object like the Sun in our solar system. This means that the gravity that holds galaxies together is distributed throughout the entire galaxy, rather than being concentrated in a single object.

Central Black Holes

While most galaxies have a supermassive black hole at their center, it contributes only a tiny fraction of the total mass. Stars in a galaxy orbit the galaxy's center of mass, not solely the black hole. The black hole's gravity is important for keeping the galaxy stable and preventing the stars from flying off into space, but it does not determine the orbits of the stars.

Galaxy Clusters

Galaxies often group together in clusters. These clusters have a center of mass, and galaxies can move around within the cluster due to the combined gravity of all the members. The orbits of galaxies within a cluster are influenced by the overall mass distribution of the cluster, rather than being determined by a single object.

Large Scale Structure

On even larger scales, galaxy clusters form superclusters, and the universe has a filamentary structure. Galaxies move within this large-scale structure, influenced by the overall gravity distribution. This means that galaxies are not isolated objects, but rather part of a vast cosmic web of matter and energy that interacts gravitationally.

Galaxies do not have simple orbits like planets in a solar system. They interact gravitationally with the vast cosmic web of matter and energy in the universe. While the idea of galaxies orbiting a single object like a planet orbiting a star may be appealing, it is simply not the case. The universe is a complex and dynamic place, full of wonders waiting to be discovered.