What do we call our Galaxy?

　Do you know the name of the Galaxy¹ we live in? In China, it’s called “the Silver River”. A story says that once a year, birds form a bridge across the Silver River. Then the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl² can meet!

　In the English-speaking world, they call it “the Milky Way”. This name comes from an old Greek story. The goddess Hera spilled milk across the sky, and that’s how it got the name.

　In some Northern European countries, they call it “the Winter Street”. These places have long, dark nights in winter. The color of the Galaxy makes them think of cold winter streets.

　The Finns have a special name for it, too. They call it “the Pathway of the Birds”. They found that birds use the Galaxy as a guide to fly south in winter. And guess what? Scientists say it’s true! The birds really do follow the stars to warmer places.

　In Spanish, the Galaxy has a few different names. But the most accurate one is “the Field of Stars”.

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