What are the basic characteristics of stellar orbits in the bulge, disk, and halo of our galaxy?

Question

Alexander Acosta · Accepted Answer

The stellar orbits become progressively less organized as we go from disk, to bulge, to halo

The disk stars orbit in circles with the same orientation, with the exception of very slight up-and-down motion; the disk orbits are all roughly circular and lie almost on a plane. The stars follow elliptical paths with random orientations; the halo stars travel high above and far below the disk; the bulge and halo orbits are much less organized, varying from round to very elliptical, and neither lie on a plane.

Claire Anctil · Answer

undefined 3. Halo: Compared to the disk, stellar orbits in the halo are usually more elongated and randomly oriented. Orbits can be highly inclined and have varying eccentricities, reflecting the more chaotic nature of halo stars. These basic characteristics of stellar orbits in the bulge, disk, and halo of our galaxy are as follows: 1. Bulge: Stellar orbits in the bulge are mostly random and elliptical, with stars moving in various directions. Orbits are influenced by the gravitational pull of surrounding stars and the central supermassive black hole. 2. Disk: In the disk, stellar orbits are mostly circular and confined to a relatively thin plane. Stars orbit in the same direction as the galactic rotation, with minimal vertical motion. 3. Halo: Compared to the disk, stellar orbits in the halo are usually more elongated and randomly oriented.