銀ぎん河が

noun

Milky Way

Specifically refers to our own galaxy, the Milky Way. In astronomy contexts, it is the proper name.

• 夏なつの夜よ空ぞらには銀ぎん河ががくっきりと見みえる。

  In the summer night sky, the Milky Way is clearly visible.

noun

galaxy

General term for any galaxy, including the Milky Way. Often used in compounds like 銀河系 (galactic system) or 銀河団 (galaxy cluster).

• この銀ぎん河がは地ち球きゅうから約やく250にひゃくごじゅう万まん光こう年ねん離はなれている。

  This galaxy is about 2.5 million light-years away from Earth.