Milky Way Galaxy

Barred spiral galaxy containing our Solar System, 100-400 billion stars, and a central supermassive black hole (Sagittarius A*).

Core Principles & Analysis

• The central black hole Sagittarius A*, about 4 million solar masses, was imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2022.
• The Sun orbits the galactic center at roughly 230 km/s, completing one circuit in about 230 million years.
• ESA's Gaia mission data revealed the Milky Way swallowed a large galaxy, Gaia-Enceladus, around 10 billion years ago.

Specifications & Metrics

• GALAXY TYPE: Barred Spiral (SBbc)
• DISTANCE: 0 (home galaxy)
• DIAMETER: ~105,700 light-years