Fact-checked by Lucent 3 months ago
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System. It is a barred spiral galaxy, and its name is derived from its appearance as a hazy band of light seen in the night sky formed from stars that cannot be individually distinguished by the naked eye.
A barred spiral galaxy containing our Solar System.
Home to Earth and our solar system
Subject of astronomical study
Inspiration for art and culture
Low. While the universe is vast and contains potential hazards, the Milky Way itself is generally viewed with a sense of wonder rather than anxiety.
The Milky Way has been a source of mythology and folklore in various cultures throughout history.
Awe and wonder
Galileo Galilei was the first to resolve the band of light into individual stars with a telescope.
The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy.
It contains hundreds of billions of stars.
It has a supermassive black hole at its center.
Safe. The Milky Way poses no immediate threat to Earth or the Solar System.
Our understanding of the Milky Way is constantly evolving as new observations and data become available.
Andromeda Galaxy
Another galaxy to study and observe.
Where to find: Visible in the night sky under certain conditions.
N/A - The Milky Way cannot be avoided as it is our home galaxy.