Our galaxy is termed as the ‘œMilky Way’ derived from its visual aspect. The Milky Way appears as a dim, milky, glowing band consisting of gas, dust, and an infinite number of stars. The Milky Way galaxy comprises our entire solar system. The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy that appears as a flat disk with a bulging center surrounded by spiral arms. The disk of the galaxy is comprised of stars, gas, dust, and planets which revolve around the galactic center.

Some of the facts about our galaxy are:

Fact 1: The Milky Way galaxy is a barred, spiral galaxy. The diameter varies between 100,000-120,000 light years.

Fact 2: About 90% of our galaxy’s mass is comprised of a halo of dark matter which is not visible directly.

Fact 3: Our galaxy is 13.2 billion years old.

Fact 4: Our galaxy contains 200-400 billion stars.

Fact 5: The Milky Way developed its current shape and size by engulfing other galaxies.

Fact 6:  The stellar disk of our galaxy is 100,000 light years in diameter and 1,000 light years thick.

Fact 7: Our galaxy has a relatively low surface of brightness which is because of the stray light coming from the moon.

Fact 8: Our galaxy is constantly in motion. It is moving at a velocity of 552 to 630 km per second.

Fact 9: Our Milky Way galaxy is just one of billions of other galaxies in the universe.

Fact 10: The Milky Way appears bright in the constellation Sagittarius.

Fact 11: Our galaxy is a part of the Virgo supercluster which is a group of various galaxies approximately 150 million light years away.

Fact 12: The closest galaxy to our Milky Way is called the Andromeda galaxy. The Andromeda galaxy is a spiral galaxy present in the supercluster.

Fact 13: Many of the stars present in the Milky Way are dying every day through supernova. The Milky Way is also producing new stars averaging about seven to eight new stars per year.