The name of our galaxy is the Milky Way. It is a large barred spiral galaxy that contains our Solar System, including the Sun and Earth. The Milky Way appears as a milky band of light in the night sky when viewed from a dark location, which is how it got its name
. In scientific and historical contexts, the Milky Way is also referred to by its Greek name Galaxias (meaning "milky circle") and its Latin name Via Lactea (meaning "milky road")
. The Milky Way spans about 100,000 light-years in diameter, with our Solar System located roughly 25,000 light-years from its center along one of its spiral arms
