G8 – Solar Systems, Galaxies and the Universe Approaching -05

Conclusion

Scientists have learned much about the order of outer space. We live on a small planet. It is one of eight planets that orbits an average-sized star. Our star, the Sun, is one of billions of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. The Milky Way Galaxy is just one of billions of galaxies that make up the universe. The size involved is massive. Even within our own solar system in the Milky Way Galaxy, the distances are extreme. Now think about the vast distance between other galaxies. Scientists are always learning more about how our solar system and galaxy were formed.

So the next time you look into the night sky, you will have a better understanding of what you see. For example, you are only able to see the tiniest portion of our universe. “The vastness of outer space is almost incomprehensible.” With our own solar system, we are only able to see a handful of planets. Even those nearby planets appear as small points of light. The stars we can see are also only a small fraction of what is out there. From our vantage point on Earth, we catch only the smallest glimpse of the total number of stars in our own galaxy. Would you like to become one of the scientists who work to uncover the secrets of space?