A spiral galaxy is composed of thick and thin disks

The thin disk comprises the majority of stars and gas visible to us

The thick disk, hovering around it,

Contains older planets that orbit more slowly

And that have been stolen or cannibalised from other dwarf galaxies,

And are galaxies themselves,

Undergoing the process of formation.

The Hercules Galaxy is one such minor stellar system

On the outer edges of the Milky Way.

© Text Caro Ness 2016

Artwork: Jon Lomberg