galaxy
galaxy — 名詞
1. an enormous system of stars, planets, gas, and dust, held together by gravity in
星系
宇宙中由恆星與氣體等組成的巨大系統
an enormous system of stars, planets, gas, and dust, held together by gravity in space. The universe contains billions of such systems, each with millions or billions of stars.
Nora used a telescope to observe a distant spiral galaxy.
Nora 用望遠鏡觀察一個遙遠的螺旋星系。
collocation: spiral galaxy / distant galaxy — common adjective patterns
Astronomers estimate that the observable universe contains over a hundred billion galaxies.
天文學家估計，可觀測宇宙中有一千多億個星系。
The Hubble telescope sent back clear images of a galaxy colliding with another one nearby.
哈伯望遠鏡傳回清晰的影像，顯示一個星系正與鄰近的另一個星系相撞。
Every galaxy has a gravitational centre that holds its stars in orbit.
每個星系都有一個重力中心，使其恆星保持在軌道上運行。
- star system
a more general term that can mean a star and its planets, not necessarily a galaxy
- nebula
a cloud of gas and dust in space — much smaller than a galaxy and part of one
文法句型
a galaxy
galaxies
the [adjective] Galaxy
用法筆記
Often described by shape: spiral galaxy, elliptical galaxy, or irregular galaxy. The shape depends on how the stars and gas are arranged.
常見錯誤
2. a group of very famous, wealthy, or highly talented people who have gathered in
群星；名流
眾多名人聚集的場合
a group of very famous, wealthy, or highly talented people who have gathered in one place — for example, movie stars at an award ceremony or leading scientists at an international conference.
The awards ceremony attracted a galaxy of Hollywood stars and music icons.
這場頒獎典禮吸引了好萊塢群星和音樂界偶像齊聚一堂。
pattern: a galaxy of + [notable people]
A galaxy of world leaders arrived in Paris for the climate summit.
一群世界領袖齊聚巴黎參加氣候高峰會。
The gallery opening was a galaxy of famous artists, writers, and collectors.
那場畫廊開幕式可謂名流雲集，匯聚了知名藝術家、作家和收藏家。
A galaxy of top chefs and food critics attended the international food festival in Tokyo.
一群頂尖主廚和美食評論家齊聚東京參加國際美食節。
- constellation
also figurative for a group of famous people, but suggests a smaller, more select set
- array
a more neutral word for an impressive group, with less emphasis on fame
- gathering
general term for any group coming together, without the 'famous' connotation
文法句型
a galaxy of [famous people]
用法筆記
Used in singular form only ('a galaxy of…'). The noun that follows is usually a plural group of notable or accomplished people. This sense can also apply to things (a galaxy of talent, a galaxy of ideas), but the people-related use is most common.
常見錯誤
3. the star system also called the Milky Way, which includes our Sun, Earth, and ev
銀河系
包含太陽系的那個星系
the star system also called the Milky Way, which includes our Sun, Earth, and every other planet in our solar neighbourhood. Seen from a dark location on Earth, it appears as a bright band of light across the sky.
On a clear night, Lara saw the Milky Way stretching across the dark sky above the mountains.
在晴朗的夜晚，Lara 看到銀河系橫跨在山區上方的漆黑天空中。
the Milky Way — visible as a band of light; always with 'the'
Our solar system lies in a spiral arm of the Galaxy, far from the bright centre.
我們的太陽系位於銀河系的一條旋臂中，距離明亮的中心相當遙遠。
Scientists now know the Galaxy is just one of billions of star systems in the universe.
科學家如今知道，銀河系只是宇宙中數十億個星系系統之一。
Astronomers use radio telescopes to map the gas clouds inside the Galaxy.
天文學家利用無線電望遠鏡繪製銀河系內部的氣體雲分布圖。
- the Milky Way
the everyday name for the Galaxy, often used in casual speech
- the Milky Way Galaxy
the full formal name, used in scientific writing
文法句型
the Galaxy
the Milky Way
用法筆記
Use 'the Galaxy' (capital G) or 'the Milky Way' when referring specifically to the system containing Earth. 'Milky Way' is the common name in everyday conversation; 'the Galaxy' is more formal. When used as a general term (sense 1), 'galaxy' is lower case.