How do the orbits of individual, ancient stars found in the Galactic Halo generally compare to the disk?
Answer
Their orbits are typically highly elongated and inclined relative to the flat plane of the disk.
The stars residing in the Galactic Halo represent the earliest populations and often exhibit orbital characteristics distinct from the younger stars in the disk. While the disk rotates relatively uniformly in a flat plane, individual stars found scattered throughout the halo generally possess highly elongated orbits. These paths are often significantly inclined, meaning they plunge in and out of the galactic plane at extreme angles, tracing paths that reflect the disorganized, spherical distribution of the halo material rather than the orderly rotation of the disk.
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