Science
What is the Milky Way Galaxy?
Discover our home, the Milky Way. Learn about the barred spiral galaxy containing our solar system, billions of stars, and a central black hole.
What is it?
The Milky Way is the barred spiral galaxy that contains our Solar System. Its name comes from its appearance as a dim, glowing band seen in the night sky, which is the light from stars within the galactic disk. Spanning over 100,000 light-years in diameter, it's home to an estimated 100-400 billion stars, including our Sun. At its core is a supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A*. The galaxy is composed of a central bulge, several major spiral arms full of gas and dust, and a large halo of dark matter.
Why is it trending?
Our home galaxy remains a hot topic thanks to cutting-edge astronomy. Telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope provide unprecedented images of star-forming regions within the Milky Way. Research into its central black hole, Sagittarius A*, and detailed mapping of stars by missions like the Gaia space observatory constantly refine our understanding. The ongoing search for potentially habitable exoplanets orbiting nearby stars also keeps the Milky Way firmly in the scientific spotlight, fueling public imagination and discovery.
How does it affect people?
The Milky Way is our cosmic address. It shapes our understanding of our place in the universe, inspiring wonder, art, and scientific inquiry. Studying our galaxy helps us learn about star formation, planetary evolution, and the fundamental forces that govern the cosmos. It provides the context for answering some of humanity's biggest questions: Where did we come from, and are we alone?