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MILKY WAY
The Milky Way traces out the disk of our
galaxy as seen from our position inside
it. Our solar system is just a very small
part of the Milky Way Galaxy; our sun is
just one of several hundred billion stars
contained in our galaxy. Our sun and solar
system are about 25,000 light-years out
from the galactic center (which is located
above the top edge of the photo).
MILKY WAY DUST
The dark regions within the Milky Way are
concentrations of interstellar dust grains.
TAKEN FROM SAVANNAH
SKIES OBSERVATORY NEAR
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA
The photo was taken just before dawn
looking toward the east. The sun is still
below the horizon toward the bottom
right corner of the photo (along an
extension of the zodiacal light down
below the horizon).