A galaxy is a large collection of objects such as star systems, gas clouds and other celestial objects that are kept together by the action of gravity.

There are three main types of galaxies:

• Spiral, with radiating arms
• elliptical, a regular flattened sphere
• irregular, a collection without any regular pattern

Our Solar System is a member of a spiral galaxy called the Milky Way

The Milky Way courtesy of the ESA - Hi Res image here