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The Milky Way is the galaxy that includes the Solar System, with a diameter of 26.8 ± 1.1 kiloparsecs (87,400 ± 3,600 light-years ). It is a barred spiral galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its center and many satellite galaxies.
Learn about the Sun and the objects that orbit it, including the eight planets, the nine dwarf planets, and the small bodies such as asteroids, comets, and moons. Explore the formation, evolution, and features of the Solar System and its place in the Milky Way galaxy.
The Galactic Center is the barycenter of the Milky Way and a corresponding point on the rotational axis of the galaxy. It contains a supermassive black hole of about 4 million solar masses, called Sagittarius A*, which is a compact radio source near the galactic rotational center.
The Large Magellanic Cloud is a dwarf galaxy and satellite of the Milky Way, located about 163,000 light-years away. It is the second- or third-closest galaxy to the Milky Way, after the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal and the possible Canis Major Overdensity.
The result isn't just a gorgeous image, but also an incredibly accurate look at our home galaxy. Along with that sky map, the ESA also released a really fantastic 360-degree video of the night sky ...
Learn about different coordinate systems used in astronomy to specify positions of celestial objects relative to various reference frames. The equatorial system is based on Earth's equator and the celestial poles, and is the normal coordinate system for most star maps.
The heliosphere is the magnetosphere, astrosphere, and outermost atmospheric layer of the Sun, shaped by the solar wind and the interstellar medium. It extends far beyond the Solar System and protects it from cosmic radiation, and has a comet-like structure with a heliotail.
A comprehensive overview of the Sun and the objects that orbit it, either directly or indirectly. Includes regions, celestial objects, physical characteristics, history, exploration, lists and more.