Chapter 25: The Origin of the Milky Way

After thinking for a moment, I decided not to ask more detailed questions. Diving too deep into professional theories might just end up confusing me further. I sat quietly for a few seconds before another thought crossed my mind—I wanted to ask about the mysteries of our Milky Way.

"We've talked about so much, but I still don't know how galaxies, like our vast Milky Way, are formed. What lies at the center of the Milky Way? I've seen some short videos suggesting it's a black hole. But if it is a black hole, why doesn't it suck in the planets in the Milky Way? This question really fascinates me. Our scientists have been exploring it for a long time. Can you tell me roughly?"

"Of course, Brother Ji Wufan, let me give you a general explanation. The formation of massive galaxies happens for various reasons—it's not caused by just a single factor.

First, some supermassive stars with incredibly high density collapse upon their destruction, creating a flow of intense gravitational force. This is what your scientists refer to as a black hole or a supermassive gravitational body. The gravitational pull of the black hole absorbs and attracts all nearby matter, forming a primordial gravitational vortex over time. As it continuously absorbs more material, this vortex slowly expands.

If there is an exceptionally dense concentration of matter and elements around the black hole, their combined gravitational pull may counteract the black hole's attraction. This balance can gradually form a galaxy, which then grows over the long years.

This is precisely the case with the Milky Way. At the center of the Milky Way is a supermassive gravitational cluster. Like all galaxies, the Milky Way undergoes the natural cycle of birth, growth, aging, and eventual death. The Milky Way is already in its aging phase, and its emitted galactic energy has become erratic. This is one of the reasons why humanity has been unable to accurately measure the Milky Way's diameter."

After finishing the first explanation, Buweiro saw me nodding and continued:

"Secondly, the universe is infinite and boundless, continuously undergoing processes of birth, operation, growth, aging, and death. Regardless of the circumstances, the universe is always in motion and will never come to a standstill. The universe operates in a spiral-like state. Due to centrifugal forces, vortices can tear through certain regions of space, some of which develop into vortex flows.

If these vortices encounter compatible cosmic energy, they can form star systems that are mutually attractive yet balanced, similar to how the Great Attractor takes shape. However, this remains exceedingly rare and requires a perfect alignment of conditions to occur.

The third reason is related to cosmic cracks, which I mentioned before. Every material has imperfections or gaps. Your ancient scholars recognized this, referring to it as 'the heavens and earth are never complete; all things have their flaws.' In reality, all matter, from the smallest to the largest scales, contains gaps, including the universe itself. These cosmic cracks vary in size. If a crack encounters material with vortex-like properties, it can form a gravitational vortex cluster, eventually giving birth to a galaxy.

Fourthly, the vastness of the universe contains countless elements and materials, far beyond what humans have currently detected. Certain floating materials in space repel each other, and if they collide, they may create a vortex. If an explosion occurs with sufficient force, it can create a space vortex that draws in surrounding matter. If the gravitational forces on both sides are equal, a gravitational vortex may form.

The central celestial body of the Milky Way has the most primitive elements and various particles. By studying the center of the galaxy, we can fully understand our local universe. Your human technology still needs to be improved in all aspects."

After finishing the four primary causes, Buweiro waited for me to process it all before adding:

"There are countless materials and elements drifting and wandering in space. Occasionally, when massive, electron-laden materials or clouds of elements—such as dust—encounter similarly massive, nucleus-laden materials or elemental dust, the electron-rich material begins to orbit the nucleus-rich material.

If the size, quantity, and density of both sides are sufficiently large—spanning several light-years in mass—they can eventually form a gravitational vortex cluster. Over the course of eons, this may evolve into a galaxy.

From a distance, using observational instruments, it would appear as though two supermassive black holes are mutually rotating and pulling an entire galaxy into motion. This is similar to the situation with the Milky Way.

It would be more accurate to say that the Milky Way's center consists of two supermassive gravitational bodies. Strictly speaking, they are not black holes as understood by human science; their nature differs from black holes formed by the explosive death of stars."

Buweiro's explanation taught me a lot once again. As I let my imagination run wild, picturing the scenes of the universe, an interesting question came to mind. I asked him, "Why do most of the galaxies we humans observe appear to be flat? Does this mean the universe itself is flat?"  

"The shape of each local universe varies, as do the shapes of multiverses and other spaces. They come in all kinds of bizarre forms. The reason most galaxies appear flat is due to gravity. When massive cosmic vortices burn or explode, their power is far greater than you can imagine.  

Our current local universe was formed by the collapse and compression of a supermassive vortex in space, which generated extremely high temperatures before exploding and creating the universe. With your technology, this process appears similar to the 'Big Bang'. Because the cosmic vortex itself was flat, the galaxies in our local universe tend to take on a flattened, spiral shape."  

Buweiro tried to explain it as simply as possible. Seeing my expression relax in understanding, he added:  

"Due to the Alliance's restriction of the Solar system, many of your observations and studies of the physical laws within and beyond the Solar system are flawed, which makes your scientific research somewhat ambiguous. Many of your early scientific theories were incorrect, but not by much. They don't hinder your technological progress significantly.  

If humanity can advance to a level of Primary Civilization and leave the Solar system, you will begin to understand the true secrets of the universe. Additionally, many intelligent civilizations, once they achieve the strength and technology of a primary civilization, use their technology to shield their own 'Solar system', much like the Interstellar Alliance.  

This concealment has its benefits: it allows these civilizations to remain hidden in the universe, avoiding many troubles. Methods for shielding a 'Solar system' include light-speed reflection, refraction, cloaking, and illusionary disappearance. This is why your scientists have not detected Primary Civilizations beyond the Solar system.  

Currently, humanity's efforts to expose its location in the universe seem unwise to me. If not for the Interstellar Alliance helping to shield you, our Solar system would already be inundated with problems."  

Buweiro's sigh left me unsure of how to respond. After a moment, I asked him, "Based on our current level of technology, how long do you estimate it will take for humanity to reach the level of a Primary Civilization, leave the Solar system, and explore the Milky Way?"  

I think this question is also very important. If humans were to advance to Primary Civilization, everyone's life would undergo earth-shaking changes. For example, going out would be more convenient and faster, many diseases could be overcome, and people could live healthy and long lives for hundreds of years. Such advancements might even solve the issue of declining populations in some countries.  

"With humanity's current state, it will be very difficult to leave the Solar system," Buweiro said. "If you don't change your thoughts and ideas, end the war and unite, you will kill yourselves in advance, let alone improve your technological civilization. If you severely damage your ecological environment, the Alliance may even intervene and force you back to primitive living conditions."  

Buweiro's response made me laugh bitterly. He continued:  

"Advancing in technological civilization isn't as simple as you think. However, the benefits of such advancements are indeed immense. If great leaders nurture enough genius scientists, it can be achieved."  

This topic felt heavy, leaving me at a loss for words for a moment.