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	Frequently Asked Questions Send to a friend  Printable version  En Español Keywords Anatomy of Galaxies  Milky Way Galaxy  Sun  Astronomical Distances  Solar System  Resources FAQs about Galaxies and Cosmology Astronomy Gift Shop 2009 Sky Almanac McDonald Observatory logo cap What is the Sun's place in the Milky Way?  The Sun and our solar system lie in the "thin disk" of our galaxy -- the collection of younger and middle-aged stars that forms the familiar spiral arms of the Milky Way. We lie in a band called the Orion-Cygnus arm, about 27,000 light-years from galactic center and 20,000 light-years from the outer edge. Other FAQs Select FAQ category Earth, Moon, and the Sun The Solar System Space Probes and Human Exploration Stars and Nebulae Astronomers and Observatories Galaxies and Cosmology Stargazing and Star Lore » FAQs about StarDate Online Galaxies and Cosmology Links SEDS Local Group Page Galaxy Cluster Mug Shots Spacetime Wrinkles
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