Milky Way Galaxy: Comprehensive Space Discovery and Galactic Specifications
Gaia and ALMA observatory data from 2026 revealed unprecedented details of the Milky Way, mapping 1.7 billion stars with chemical precision. The galaxy's total mass is approximately 890 billion solar masses spanning 120,000 light-years. Recent observations discovered complex gas filaments in the central region flowing at extreme velocities, forming new stars. The central supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* has 4.3 million solar masses, located 26,000 light-years from Earth. Studies also revealed the Sun's ancient migration 4-6 billion years ago and wavy galactic structures reflecting interactions with the Magellanic Clouds.
