The Heliosphere Within The Milky Way Galaxy

  • Released Friday, August 22, 2025
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Our solar system is nestled inside the Milky Way galaxy, home to more than 100 billion stars. Stretching for millions of miles around the solar system is a protective bubble called the heliosphere. Created by particles and magnetic fields from the Sun, the heliosphere separates our solar system from the vast galaxy beyond — and much of its harsh space radiation that can be damaging to life on Earth.

Conceptual Animation

This conceptual animation begins with a view of the Milky Way Galaxy. As we zoom in, we travel to the Local Interstellar Cloud, and then to the heliosphere, the protective bubble created by the solar wind. This version features a star field background.

Conceptual Animation

This conceptual animation begins with a view of the Milky Way Galaxy. As we zoom in, we travel to the Local Interstellar Cloud, and then to the heliosphere, the protective bubble created by the solar wind. This version does not feature a star field background.

Conceptual Animation

This conceptual animation highlights the Milky Way Galaxy only.

Graphic A still graphic showing the heliosphere, the protective bubble that is created by the solar wind and surrounds the solar system. Credit: NASA/Jonathan North

Graphic

A still graphic showing the heliosphere, the protective bubble that is created by the solar wind and surrounds the solar system.

Credit: NASA/Jonathan North

Graphic With Labels A still graphic showing the heliosphere, the protective bubble that is created by the solar wind and surrounds the solar system. Credit: NASA/Jonathan North

Graphic With Labels

A still graphic showing the heliosphere, the protective bubble that is created by the solar wind and surrounds the solar system.

Credit: NASA/Jonathan North

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

This page was originally published on Friday, August 22, 2025.
This page was last updated on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM EDT.