TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

GALACTIC HALO [1 record]

Record 1 2011-03-08

English

Subject field(s)
  • Astrophysics and Cosmography
DEF

A large, relatively dust-free, spherical region surrounding a spiral galaxy, such as our own [Milky Way].

OBS

The inner, visible part of the halo, which has roughly the same diameter as the galactic disk, is occupied by Population II objects, including globular clusters and old, individual stars. Beyond this is a much larger region, called the dark halo or extended halo, containing large amounts of dark matter, the presence of which is revealed by its gravitational effect on the galaxy's rotation. The nature of galactic dark matter is still undetermined but the most popular theory, supported by some recent observations, is that the dark halo is home to vast numbers of small, unseen bodies known as MACHOs.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Astrophysique et cosmographie
CONT

Le halo galactique est une région de l'espace entourant les galaxies spirales, et notamment notre Galaxie, la Voie lactée. On pense que le halo galactique est principalement constitué d'étoiles, de gaz et de matière noire. Dans une galaxie elliptique, il n'y a pas de transition nette entre le corps de la galaxie et le halo.

Spanish

Save record 1

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2024
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Features

Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: