As we gaze up at the night sky, we often forget the vastness of our surroundings. But did you know that the Milky Way galaxy is home to over 100 billion stars? That’s right, our galaxy is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the secrets of the universe. Here are 5 mind-blowing facts about the Milky Way Galaxy that are sure to astound you.

1. It’s Massive

The Milky Way Galaxy is huge, and we mean really huge. It’s estimated to be around 100,000 light-years in diameter and contains billions of stars. To put that into perspective, it would take you about 25,000 years to travel from one end of the galaxy to the other at the speed of light.

2. It’s Over 13 Billion Years Old

Believe it or not, the Milky Way Galaxy is one of the oldest galaxies in the universe. Scientists estimate that it’s over 13 billion years old, almost as old as the universe itself.

3. We’re Not in the Center

You may have thought that our solar system was situated at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, but that’s not the case. We’re actually located about two-thirds of the way out from the center in a part of the galaxy called the Orion Arm.

4. It’s Still Growing

Just like us, the Milky Way Galaxy is constantly growing. It’s estimated that our galaxy is still gaining mass from smaller nearby galaxies that are merging with it.

5. It’s Full of Mysteries

Despite what we know about the Milky Way, there are still so many mysteries waiting to be uncovered. From dark matter to black holes, there’s still so much that we don’t understand about our galaxy.

The Milky Way Galaxy is a truly amazing place, full of wonder and mystery. With so much still to learn, who knows what exciting new discoveries the future will bring. So, the next time you look up at the night sky, remember that you’re just a tiny part of something much bigger than yourself.