[–] ShinyVoater 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
You don't have to see something make a complete orbit to know its period. For example, the distance from the center of a perfectly circular orbit can be determined by its distance from the center; increasing an object's speed simply serves to send it into a higher orbit with a longer period.
Galaxies are fairly well-rounded and should, by simple extrapolation, play by the same rules. Instead, the disc moves at a far more unified pace(like a CD), which requires mass to be where it visibly isn't. Some form of invisible matter is the only thing that makes sense with our current understanding of the universe. Alternate theories exist, of course, but, as I've said, they all have one problem or another that brings them out of agreement with observational evidence.
[–] Commie_Meta ago
The stars' speed can be measured using the Doppler shift of their color spectra.
The European Space Agency's Gaia observatory will soon have complete speed observations of 1% of our galaxy's stars. It will be able to directly see the orbital effects of dark matter if there are any.
[–] B3bomber ago
Don't forget to find your own base movement speed during this time along with the are you moving away or towards.