| the group of galaxies, at least 25 of which are known, that includes the Milky Way. |

| Local Group
A group of more than 30 galaxies that includes 2 large spiral galaxies—the Milky Way and Andromeda—as well as numerous smaller galaxies, many of which are dwarfs. The Local Group has a diameter of approximately 10 million light-years, with its gravitational center located between our galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy. It is part of a larger grouping known as the Virgo supercluster. |