The Milky Way
≈ 13 billion years ago, early thick-disc formation
Cosmic TimeThe Milky Way
Our galaxy takes shape.
Our galaxy grew over billions of years from stars, gas and smaller galaxies. Its thick disc began forming about 13 billion years ago.
Gaia’s measurements of more than a billion stars let astronomers sort them by age and date the start of the thick disc.
13 billion years ago, early thick-disc formation, placed on the scale of its era on a line leading toward now.
- Era
- Cosmic Time
- Period
- ≈ 13 billion years ago, early thick-disc formation
- Edition
- 1/1
- Status
- Not Released
Background artwork
Cinematic background showing a spiral galaxy seen from outside. An illustration generated with an AI image tool for TIME. It is an artistic depiction, not a photograph or a record of the moment. Nobody has seen our own galaxy from this angle.