Are there more stars in the average galaxy or more galaxies in the observable universe?

Question

Are there more stars in the average galaxy or more galaxies in the observable universe?

Answer 1

There are many billions of galaxies,each containing billions of stars

Answer 2

That would have to be calculated by recording the number of stars in an average galaxy and comparing them to other galaxies and taking the average of that data and comparing it to the known universe which is about 100 billion galaxies. I dont think the number would exceed 100 billion stars in a galaxy but good question.

Answer 3

Some would suggest that they are about the same. But the estimates for stars in the Galaxy has gone up recently, taking into account all the brown dwarf stars.

Number of galaxies, about 100-200 billion. Number of stars in Milky Way 200-400 billion. Andromeda galaxy has about 1 trillion stars.

Interesting question.

Answer 4

Here is an estimate for 500 billion galaxies.  I have heard different numbers for the star count in the Milky Way but 400 billion is the highest one, so......<drum roll>.......galaxies win by 100 billion

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_as...

Answer 5

That's a pretty good question, spazzy.  I've thought about that myself.  It seems that they're just about the same.  Of course, a lot of that depends on what you call an average galaxy.  We guess that there are lots of dwarf galaxies that we can't see, but then, the number and types of stars is increasing with each estimate, too.  Think of all the brown dwarfs that are probably out there.  I suppose we wouldn't be counting them.

Answer 6

I think it would be difficult to say, as no telescope can resolve the stars in the more distant galaxies.  The numbers are in the same ballpark, though – hundreds of billions.  

Answer 7

I am embarrased for not knowing the answer but here goes-my guess is there are more observable galaxies.  

Answer 8

Keep in mind that humans have nothing more than pictures of anything farther than our own moon so no one can knowledgably answer that question. Imagine the answer you like the best and go with that one. Your question shows quite an imagination.  

Answer 9

There are more stars in all the galaxies than there are grains of sand in all the deserts on this earth! So I am told!