Galaxy

A vast system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter held together by gravity.

galactic system

A galaxy is a vast system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter held together by gravity. Galaxies can contain billions or even trillions of stars and come in various shapes, including spiral, elliptical, and irregular.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡæl.əksi/

Etymology

The term 'galaxy' comes from the Greek word 'galaxias,' meaning 'milky', referring to the Milky Way.

Explain Like I’m 5

A galaxy is like a giant island in space, made up of billions of stars, gas, and dust all swirling around together.

Fun Facts

The Milky Way is the name of our galaxy
Some galaxies are colliding with each other
Black holes often sit at the center of galaxies

FAQ

What is a galaxy? A large system of stars, gas, and dust
How many galaxies are there? Estimates range from 100 billion to 2 trillion
What holds a galaxy together? Gravity

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

Universe Astronomical Object

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

Spiral Galaxy Elliptical Galaxy Irregular Galaxy

Meronyms — Parts or Components

Stars Gas Dust Dark Matter

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

Local Group Virgo Supercluster

Indexes

astronomical celestial body

Built by Tim Jones