Our galaxy

Is there anything more breathtaking and surreal than outer space? Often, I feel like there absolutely isn't. Maybe it's because of all the celestial masterpieces stars, galaxies, and planets paint, effortlessly sweeping us off our feet?

May 5 is Space Day, and with the film “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” opening, we look at some real star power in our daily lives, the Milky Way and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Is there anything more breathtaking and surreal than outer space? Often, I feel like there absolutely isn't. Maybe it's because of all the celestial masterpieces stars, galaxies, and planets paint, effortlessly sweeping us off our feet?

Earth is part of the Solar System, which is in itself a part of the Milky Way Galaxy. This Galaxy is among the group that compose the Virgo Supercluster, one of many who are supposed to construct the Universe.

Is there anything more breathtaking and surreal than outer space? Often, I feel like there absolutely isn't. Maybe it's because of all the celestial masterpieces stars, galaxies, and planets paint, effortlessly sweeping us off our feet?

Beautiful Milky Way photos.

A map of our galaxy the Milky Way, showing pulsars (red), planetary nebulae (blue), globular clusters (yellow), and the orbits of several stars.

Planets are celestial bodies that orbit stars, and in our solar system, they revolve around the Sun. There are eight recognized planets in our solar system:

Is there anything more breathtaking and surreal than outer space? Often, I feel like there absolutely isn't. Maybe it's because of all the celestial masterpieces stars, galaxies, and planets paint, effortlessly sweeping us off our feet?