Galaxy at a glance

 Core

The dense galactic core is filled with older stars and clouds of sooty dust the leftovers of dying stars.

4.3 LIGHT YEARS-

Alpha Centauri

Closest neighboring star system

8.6 LIGHT-YEARS-

Sirius

Brightest star in the sky

433 LIGHT YEARS-

Polaris

North star

1,345 LIGHT YEARS-

orion Nebula

One of the brightest nebulae

Earth and our solar system

 lie in the Milky Way's Orion Arm, a smaller spur between two of the galaxy's major arms.

Galactic Arms

The Milky Way's pinwheeling arms form its newer neighborhoods, home to younger stars.

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