* Solar Mass is a Unit of Mass: A solar mass (M☉) is a unit of mass, specifically the mass of our Sun.
* Galaxies Have Diverse Contents: 600 billion solar masses is a measurement often used to describe the mass of a large galaxy. Galaxies contain:
* Stars: These are the most visible components.
* Gas and Dust: Vast amounts of interstellar gas and dust exist between stars.
* Dark Matter: This mysterious substance makes up a significant portion of galaxy mass but doesn't interact with light.
* Black Holes: Supermassive black holes reside at the centers of most galaxies.
Therefore, 600 billion solar masses represents the total mass of a galaxy, not just its stars. A significant portion of that mass is likely from non-stellar components.
