Galaxy: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Greek 'galaxias kyklos', meaning 'milky circle', referring to our Milky Way.
• The term was first used in the 16th century to describe the Milky Way and later expanded to include other star systems.
• In ancient cultures, galaxies were often linked to myths and were considered pathways or roads in the sky.

Science

• There are estimated to be over 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe, each with millions or even billions of stars.
• Galaxies can be categorized into three main types: spiral, elliptical, and irregular, based on their shapes and star distributions.
• The closest galaxy to us is the Andromeda Galaxy, which is on a collision course with the Milky Way, expected to merge in about four billion years.

Pop Culture

• Galaxies often appear in movies and TV shows, inspiring titles like 'Guardians of the Galaxy', which explores adventure in space.
• The imagery of galaxies has influenced countless artworks, from paintings to digital media, symbolizing the infinite.

Astronomy

• The Milky Way, the galaxy we live in, is a barred spiral galaxy and contains over 200 billion stars.
• Galaxies are constantly moving away from each other due to the expansion of the universe, a discovery that revolutionized modern cosmology.
• Some galaxies can collide and merge over time, leading to the formation of new stars and altering their shapes dramatically.

Literature

• Galaxies have inspired countless science fiction novels, often serving as backdrops for interstellar adventures and explorations.
• Poets have used the vastness of galaxies as metaphors for infinity, dreams, and the unknown in their works.

At position #13,001, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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• 12998 straps
• 12999 despotism
• 13000 discerned
• 13001 galaxy
• 13002 blackish
• 13003 unforeseen
• 13004 holistic
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