Explore the history of the Milky Way galaxy. Learn all about the type of galaxy, discover how many stars are in the Milky Way, and view a map of the Milky Way. Related to this Question How far is Alpha Centauri
Explore the solar system, the home of planet Earth. Learn about suns and stars, the planets in the solar system, and how the solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy. Related to this Question How far is Eris from the sun?
While Americans would be able to see the galaxy sometime from early February to late October, pinpointing the best month for viewing depends on how far north or south a person lives, according to Capture the Atlas: For people in Alaska, the best time to see the Milky Way is fr...
How far from Earth would a space camera have to be to obtain a full image of our own Milky Way galaxy? The specific answer to this question depends on the type of camera you’re talking about. Objects appear smaller with greater distance, so a camera with ...
“The basic assumption is that our galaxy is totally ordinary,” Stanley said. Ordinary it may be, but the sight of the Milky Way — even a partial view from Earth or from space — is still awe-inspiring, and can help people to understand and to appreciate our place in the universe, ...
How do spiral galaxies get 'feathers'? All it takes is a little gravity NASA supercomputer finds billions of comets mimicking the Milky Way's shape: 'The universe seems to like spirals!' Face to face with a galaxy | Space photo of the day for May 9, 2025 ...
The best of National Geographic delivered to your inbox Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic.Sign Up Legal Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest-Based Ads Our Sites Nat Geo Home Attend a Live Event Book a Trip Buy Maps Inspire Your Kids Shop...
This artist’s rendering shows a view of our own Milky Way Galaxy and its central bar as it might appear if viewed from above. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (SSC) When we talk about the enormity of the cosmos, it’s easy to toss out big numbers – but far more difficult to...
How fast you need to move to keep in a circular orbit around another body is dictated by how far the two bodies are separated from each other. Planets closer to the Sun are orbiting faster than Earth, with Mercury traveling 1.6 times faster than Earth at 105,000mph(47.4km/s). At the...
But what about travel into the past? A glance into the night sky should supply an answer. The Milky Way galaxy is roughly 100,000 light-years wide, so light from its more distant stars can take thousands upon thousands of years to reach Earth. Glimpse that light, and you're essentially...