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galactic British & World English

Relating to a galaxy or galaxies, especially the galaxy containing the solar system

galactic disc British & World English

(Originally) the disc of the galaxy, as represented in the sky by the Milky Way; (later also) the relatively thin, disc-shaped outer part of any spiral galaxy.

galactic halo British & World English

A roughly spheroidal part of many spiral galaxies that surrounds the disc and the bulge and is more diffuse, containing stars that are older; specifically that of the galaxy to which the solar system belongs, which contains stars and globular clusters.

galactic pole British & World English

Either of the two opposite points of the sky situated at 90 degrees north and south of the galactic equator.

galactic wind British & World English

An outward flow of hot gas from a galaxy following an event such as a period of star formation or the outburst of a supernova.

galactic centre British & World English

The central point or zone of the galaxy.

galactic circle British & World English

The central line or zone of the Milky Way across the sky; specifically = galactic equator.

galactic noise British & World English

Unidentified radio-frequency radiation coming from beyond the solar system

galactic plane British & World English

The plane defined by the galactic equator.

galactic system British & World English

The system of galactic coordinates.

galactic cluster British & World English

The cluster of stars including the sun and the Milky Way (now disused).

galactic latitude British & World English

The latitude of a point on the sky measured from the galactic equator.

galactic longitude British & World English

The longitude of a point on the sky measured from a reference point on the galactic equator, usually defined either by the direction of the centre of the galaxy or by the intersection of the galactic and celestial equators.

galactic nucleus British & World English

The central part of a galaxy; specifically that of the Milky Way galaxy.

galactic equator British & World English

The great circle of the celestial sphere passing as closely as possible through the densest parts of the Milky Way

galactic cannibalism British & World English

The process by which a galaxy attracts matter from a neighbouring galaxy by gravitation, growing at its expense.

galactic concentration British & World English

A tendency for stars (or other celestial objects) to occur in greater abundance closer to the galactic equator.

galactic coordinate British & World English

Either of a pair of coordinates comprising respectively galactic latitude and longitude.

active galactic nucleus British & World English

A compact region at the centre of a galaxy which emits an abnormally large amount of radiation in one or more parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

extragalactic British & World English

Situated, occurring, or originating outside the Milky Way galaxy

intergalactic British & World English

Relating to, moving, or situated between two or more galaxies