Have you ever seen the Milky Way? This collection of stars can be seen all over the world; it looks like a ring of milk spilled across the sky. It is a small part of Earth's own Milky Way Galaxy, which contains billions of stars, and you can see it with your own two eyes. If you could see it from another galaxy, it would look like a pinwheel that rotates every couple of hundred million years. Other galaxies may look like a racetrack or a splatter of paint. Did you know that if someone gave you a penny and then doubled that amount each day, you would soon have more money than you could ever spend? The same is true for our galaxies; there are just too many to be counted.

Sailing, Sailing

The Milky Way Galaxy and other galaxies in the universe display many of the bright stars that sailors in ancient times used like the map your family uses when you go on vacation. These early stargazers were the first people to practice astronomy; they were studying the universe, although they could only see the brightest stars and a few of the planets. Today, sailors can travel over the seas using instruments that focus on the stars to guide them. If you are lucky enough to know someone that sails a boat, ask if they will show you how their instruments work.

Try This

Glow-in-the-Dark Galaxy

You can make your own spiral galaxy using a pinwheel and painting glow-in-the-dark or glitter paint on the top edges of each blade. Once it is dry, blow on the wheel to see how a spiral galaxy moves. If you used glow-in-the-dark paint, try it in a dark room. This is how our galaxy would look to someone out in space.

In the Neighborhood?

You may have heard of the Andromeda Galaxy, because it is fairly close to Earth, less than three million light years away. It can be seen without using binoculars on a clear night! Check your friends' knowledge of astronomy. Ask if they have ever heard of the two dwarf galaxies that can only be seen if you are in the Southern Hemisphere. They are known as the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds and seem to be held in place by the Milky Way's gravity! All of these galaxies, including the Milky Way, are part of what is known as the Local Group. Visit your local library and see how far away some of the distant galaxies would be! Weren't you surprised how many were scattered throughout the universe?

A Closer Look

Like the early astronomers, you may need to practice moving your binoculars closer or farther away from your eyes until you can see clearly. If you know someone who owns a pair of binoculars, ask them if they will let you look through them in the daytime. Can you see a street sign or a building that is far away from you? What is the smallest thing that you can recognize?