The galaxy is approximately 12 million light years across, and the core structure shown is unstable and in a near constant state of producing stars. Life tends to exist in the much calmer spiral arms, but thanks to large colonizing and arc craft, it can be found anywhere these days. Many of the intelligent races here have an advanced technical understanding of forces like gravity, and the Stenza, who have watched the stars since time immemorial, were among the first to learn to travel between them.