Editor's note: Astronomy Update is a column provided by the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society, Hobbs Observatory and L.E. Phillips Planetarium. It is compiled by Lauren Likkel of the UW-Eau Claire physics and astronomy department.

Common knowledge for many people is that we live in the Milky Way Galaxy, but that is usually about where it ends.

An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.

Or, use your linked account:

Receive all premium website content and access our archives to the digital replica of the newspaper dating back to 1992.

Once you have paid for a subscription you also have access to our e-edition/archive app for the iPad and Android tablets. Please visit those stores to download. (coming soon)

Receive all premium website content and e-edition access to the digital replica of the newspaper dating back 30 days.

Once you have paid for a subscription you also have access to our e-edition app for the iPad, Android tablets and Kindle Fire. Please visit those stores to download.

You can also access our e-edition on your smart phone by visiting http://www.LTEedition.com

See more here:

Astronomy Update: Understanding our Milky Way