The Milky Way Galaxy

European Southern Observatory (ESO)

A Panoramic View of the Milky Way Galaxy

As you look up into a clear night sky you might notice a streak of white, hazy clouds. You now understand that you are looking at a part of the amazing Milky Way Galaxy. Almost everything that you view in the night sky is a part of this vast galaxy. The Milky Way Galaxy formed in a similar manner to the way in which stars form. Clouds of dust and gas condensed created a nuclear bulge near the center of the galaxy. Soon, many more clusters of forming stars were gathered and a galaxy was born. It is here, near the center of the Milky Way, where the oldest stars are located. The Milky Way is barred spiral galaxy and has a width of an estimated 100,000 to 120,000 light-years. The Solar System is located on one of the Milky Way Galaxy's many arms.