Our Sun and solar system are embedded in a broad pancake of stars deep within the disk of the Milky Way galaxy. Even from a distance, it is impossible to see our galaxy's large-scale features other than the disk. The next best thing is to look farther out into the universe at galaxies that are similar in shape and structure to our home galaxy. Other spiral galaxies like NGC 3949, pictured in the Hubble image, fit the bill.

Image Credit: NASA, ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

Acknowledgment: S. Smartt (The Queen's University of Belfast)

• Hubble Heritage Release of NGC 3949
• "Creating Hubble's Technicolor Universe"