The night sky has always been a source of wonder and fascination for humanity, with countless shimmering stars dotting the darkness. Among these celestial objects, galaxies stand as the majestic cosmic building blocks of the universe. These colossal structures, each containing billions to trillions of stars, hold the secrets of the universe's evolution and serve as windows into the depths of space and time. In this article, we will embark on a journey to explore the captivating world of galaxies, their diverse types, formation, and their crucial role in shaping the cosmos.
**The Milky Way: Our Cosmic Home**
At the heart of our exploration lies the Milky Way, the spiral galaxy that hosts our solar system. Named for the milky band of stars that arches across the night sky, the Milky Way has captivated human imagination for millennia. It spans an estimated 100,000 light-years in diameter and contains around 100 to 400 billion stars.