The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our solar system, characterized by its spiral shape and vast number of stars. It is estimated to have over 100 billion stars, along with gas, dust, and dark matter, all bound together by gravity. This galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter and is part of a larger group of galaxies known as the Local Group. The Milky Way is not only home to our planet, Earth, but also to countless other celestial bodies, making it a fascinating subject of study in the field of astronomy.