Our Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe What’s the difference?

Our Star System: the Solar System Includes the Sun (our closest star) and all the things that orbit it (planets, asteroids, etc.) “Solar” Sol means “sun”

Our Galaxy: The Milky Way A galaxy is a collection of billions of stars. Our galaxy is called “the Milky Way.” The sun is just one star of the billions in our galaxy. It only appears larger because it is the closest star to Earth.

The Universe encompasses EVERYTHING in space. It is made up of billions of galaxies. (about 170 billion)

Scientists debate Does the universe go on forever? If not, what’s beyond it?

SOLAR SYSTEM: the sun and all the planets that orbit it GALAXY: billions of stars (our sun is just one of them) UNIVERSE: everything In order from smallest to largest:

The Universe

Galaxy

Our Solar System

Earth, Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe So our address in the Universe would be: