This model of the Milky Way Galaxy puts the night sky we see into perspective.


Use the umbrella model for your outreach events! You can also print your own version! 

Seeing a galaxy from the edge gives us a glimpse of our perspective from within a similar structure.

Scientists study galaxies of all shapes and sizes to learn about their composition, formation, and evolution. We also better understand our own galaxy through studying others.

As you look at our place in the Milky Way as shown on this model, think about  how our place in our galaxy creates what we see in our night sky. What would other galaxies look like from within? What would our night sky look like if our solar system was located somewhere else in our galaxy?

This resource is part of the Big Astronomy Toolkit.

Last updated:  March 25, 2021