The Milky Way
What is the Milky Way?
Our Sun (a star) and all the planets around it are part of a galaxy
known as the Milky Way Galaxy. A galaxy is a large group of stars, gas,
and dust bound together by gravity. They come in a variety of shapes and
sizes. The Milky Way is a large barred spiral galaxy. All the stars we
see in the night sky are in our own
Milky Way Galaxy.
Our galaxy is called the Milky Way because it appears as a
milky band of light in the sky when you see it in a really
dark area.
Do I have to go to Space to see the Milky Way?
Good news! No!
For many city people, a clear night sky is a mythical beast because, seeing constellations so
clearly grows more difficult each year. Electric lights have
revolutionized our lives, but as illumination increases, the toll on
wildlife and human health is becoming harder to ignore.
The International Dark-Sky Association , the U.S. nonprofit, founded in 1988, recognizes parks, reserves, and places across the world that offer the best views of the galaxy we call home. Most are open to campers or offer visitor lodging—meaning you can spend the whole night looking up at the sky’s universal beauty.
The Milky Way stretches above Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona.
PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT STULBERG, GETTY IMAGES
World's best stargazing spots
- Natural Bridges National Monument, United States;
- Rhön Biosphere Reserve, Germany;
- Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand;
- Cherry Springs State Park, United States;
- Pic du Midi, France;
- Sedona, United States;
- Mont-Mégantic, Canada;
- Zselic National Landscape Protection Area, Hungary;
Font:
National Geographic