The Milky Way Galaxy in which we live is, according to Hubble classification, likely an SABbc barred spiral galaxy. Considered fairly large among galaxies, it contains as many as 400,000,000,000 stars and has a diameter of 100,000 light-years. As if our finite minds can wrap themselves around such numbers, 1 light-year equals 6,000,000,000,000 miles! Our galaxy like other 'Island Universes' is a massive, gravitationally-bound system consisting of stars and their planetary systems, star clusters, star remnants, an interstellar medium of gas and dust, and a significant but poorly understood component referred to as Dark Matter. Exhibited in this gallery are objects within the Milky Way Galaxy. Please enjoy the photographs!
