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If the Galactic Center of the Milky Way Is Now

Question 36

Multiple Choice

If the galactic center of the Milky Way is now thought to contain a supermassive black hole, why is the Sun NOT falling into it under the black hole's extreme gravity?


A) The Sun's mass is so small that even the extreme mass concentration at the galactic center will not exert a significant force on it.
B) The inward force exerted on the Sun from the black hole is offset by the force exerted outward by the hidden "dark" matter beyond the Sun's orbit.
C) The mutual gravitational forces of local stars in the Orion spiral arm are sufficient to overcome the strong inward force and keep the Sun moving in its orbit.
D) The Sun has sufficient velocity that it can orbit the galactic center in a circle.

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