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What makes galaxies spin in a certain direction? And do they all spin in the same direction? (cont.)

Steve Powell
Hursley, Winchester, UK

One aspect of this question seems not to have been addressed. Spiral galaxies spin, we are told, and their direction of spin depends upon our perspective, of course. But do the outer points of the spirals precede or trail the rotation?

We instinctively feel that the arms should be 鈥渟wept back鈥� from, or trail behind, the rotation. But that, surely, is a result of our local experience of rotations driven centrally in a friction-providing medium, as for a Catherine wheel. What is the case in the heavens?

To answer this question 鈥� or ask a new one 鈥� email lastword@newscientist.com.

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