The more evolved a galaxy is, the more collectively chaotic the orbits of its many stars are, new research shows, answering a key detail about how galaxies age.
Our sun orbits the center of the Milky Way galaxy once every 225 million years, at a velocity averaging 514,495 mph (828,000 kph). Astronomers call this a "galactic year." The sun's path around the galaxy is nearly circular, although it does bob up and down somewhat relative to the plane of the galaxy.
