This is a band of light that can be seen in the sky at night. It is also a galaxy in which our solar system is located. It circles all the way around the celestial sphere. The glow is formed by the radiance of countless stars too dim to be seen individually with the naked eye.
The galaxy is shaped somewhat like a lens or like two saucers placed together facing each other. The width is greater than the thickness. That is the appearance that would be seen when looked at along the equatorial plane.
Actually, the Milky Way is a spiral galaxy, resembling a pinwheel, with a central hub and spiral, curving arms. Our solar system is located on one of the arms. Between the various arms are areas comprised of dark gas and dust. The biggest one of these is known as the Great Rift. The bright patches are called star clouds.
