What defines the Milky Way?

The Milky Way is defined as the galaxy that includes our Solar System, which is a crucial characteristic of this massive collection of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. Within the Milky Way, our Solar System resides in one of its spiral arms, known as the Orion Arm, situated about 26,000 light-years from the galactic center. This connection to our Solar System helps to contextualize the Milky Way within the larger cosmos, as it emphasizes our place in the universe.

While it is true that the Milky Way does contain a supermassive black hole at its center and is one of the prominent galaxies visible from Earth, these aspects do not encapsulate the definition of the Milky Way as effectively as its role as the home of our Solar System. Additionally, referring to the Milky Way simply as a type of solar system overlooks its complexity as a galaxy, which encompasses billions of stars and countless other solar systems. Thus, recognizing the Milky Way as the galaxy that includes our Solar System captures its identity and significance in our understanding of the universe.