"The central bulge is a sphere containing the galactic bar. Most stars are in the disk, but the bulge is so dense with them that their planets could never experience night. With density comes chaos, and these mostly old stars zip around in unpredictable orbits."
Like neutron stars, galaxies emit high-energy polar jets. The speed and intensity of the jets indicate how active the nucleus is—in short, how much matter is fueling the core. The Milky Way no longer has an AGN (active galactic nucleus).
Generator Unlocked
Fermi Bubbles
Discovered in 2010, two giant bubbles above and below the bulge dwarf the galactic disk. These fogs of high-energy particles burst out of the core 2.6 million years ago. What galactic force caused them? Analysis is ongoing, as simulation models disagree.
Galactic Jets
Achievements[]
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Description
Requires
Runaway Stars
A supernova, a thwack from the galaxy’s bow shock, or a gravitational slingshot by a black hole… These extreme forces eject stars from the bulge, the halo, and even the galaxy. Runaways become galactic rogues, interstellar migrants, or emigrants to another galaxy.
Galactic Bulge Rank 3
Dark Rift
From Earth, the Dark Rift flows through the Milky Way like a murky river, slicing the galaxy in half. This band of interstellar dust masks the blazing stars of the Sagittarius Arm behind it. It’s best viewed on a clear, moonless night in August, far from cities.