I remember as a kid, sprawled out on a dewy lawn during summer nights, staring up at the sky. The stars seemed like distant fireflies, but little did I know they were part of something much bigger—a galaxy. That sense of wonder never left me, and it’s what draws so many of us to astronomy. Today, let’s dive deep into what a galaxy really is, blending science with stories to make it feel alive. We’ll explore definitions, types, our own Milky Way, and even how to spot these cosmic giants yourself. The Basic Definition of a Galaxy At its core,…