The Milky Way is one of the most studied topics in human history, and for good reason.
It is one of the few observable features that pre-modern humans in particular could observe regardless of their nationality, culture, and education.
Over the centuries more theories have come about regarding the status of our galaxy, its place in the universe, and… whether or not it is made of milk!
FACT NUMBER ONE — It takes 100,000 light years to travel across the Milky Way
Light travels at 186,000 miles, or 299,792 kilometres per second — the equivalent of going around the Earth nearly eight times.
And even at that speed, it would take 100,000 years of non-stop travel just to go from one side of the Milky Way to the other.
FACT NUMBER TWO — There are 400 billion stars and 3.2 trillion planets in the galaxy
Some estimates are more modest at 100 billion stars and under one trillion planets, but even with the more conservative figures, we would be talking about more stars in the Milky Way than the number of humans who ever existed, and more planets than one each for every second of human recorded history… times five!
FACT NUMBER THREE — The Milky Way is puny compared to other galaxies
Even though the Milky Way is larger than most galaxies, it still pales in comparison to other competitors, such as IC 1011, which is said to take approximately six million light years to travel, making its width sixty times larger — and this does not even include the height and depth.
FACT NUMBER FOUR — 100 million black holes populate the Milky Way
Aside from the countless millions of black holes just in our Milky Way Galaxy, a particularly large one known as Sagittarius A resided near its centre, approximately 50,000 light years from Earth.
FACT NUMBER FIVE — Our Solar system orbits the Milky Way every 250 million years
Much like Earth, even the Milky Way orbits a centre of mass that is itself a giant black hole (Sagittarius A).
Of course, since we are still 50,000 light years away from this epicentre, we do not need to worry about being sucked into its gravity any time in the future!
FACT NUMBER SIX — There are over 2 trillion galaxies in the observable universe
There are as many galaxies in the observable universe as there are planets in the Milky Way — an area spanning approximately 93 billion light years.
In addition, the non-observable universe is estimated to be 15,625,000 times larger — gives one an idea of just how much is left to be seen.
FACT NUMBER SEVEN — Over six billion Earth-like planets exist in the Milky Way
There are almost as many Earth-like planets as there are humans currently inhabitating this planet, and many of them are even larger than this rock, with Kepler-452 in particular being nearly two-thirds larger, with a diameter of over 14,000 kilometres compared to the 12,742 kilometres.
FACT NUMBER EIGHT — Cultures around the world saw the Milky Way as a pathway for deceased souls
From the Indigenous cultures of the Americas, to the Greeks and Romans of Europe, the Egyptians and Persians of Africa and the Middle East, and even the Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese of the Far East, the Milky Way was interpreted as a roadway for souls.
Quite impressive, considering the fact that there is no way that any of these peoples were talking to one another when these recordings came up several millennia ago.
FACT NUMBER NINE — The Milky Way is producing more stars
Despite the fact that its most dramatic creation phase has long passed, the Milky Way still continues to create at least seven stars per year, meaning that in an average human lifetime, nearly 600 stars are being created — many of them far larger than the sun — plus hundreds of new solar systems and thousands of new planets to go with it, some of which may one day possess life much like ours.
FACT NUMBER TEN — The Milky Way will live for 100 trillion years
The Milky Way is estimated to have a lifespan of 100 trillion years, meaning that if we consider the fact that the universe itself is only 13,800,000,000 years, then its lifespan will be nearly 8,000 times longer — if the Milky Way’s lifespan were compared to that of a normal human lifespan, then it would only be three days old!
Whether or not the Milky Way will produce new galaxies after its demise is unknown at this time, though astronomers estimate that in four billion years the Milky Way and Andromeda will become one, and who knows what other members of the Burger Cluster will join this family.
BONUS — The Milky Way is not made out of milk
As disappointing as it is for some to realise, the Milky Way cannot produce milk the way humans, cows, and other mammals can.
Then again, seeing as so many cultures saw the lights of the Milky Way as a heavenly pathway to a better life, perhaps more milk than we could ever care to consume will be waiting for us on the other side of this dimension.
