Final answer:
The Milky Way's diameter is approximately 100,000 light-years, and its thickness is about 2000 light-years, making the diameter about 50 times its thickness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked about the ratio of the diameter to the thickness of our galaxy, the Milky Way. According to provided details, the diameter of the Milky Way is about 100,000 light-years, while its thickness is about 2000 light-years. Therefore, the diameter of our galaxy is roughly 50 times its thickness. The shape of the Milky Way can indeed be likened to a fried egg or a CD, albeit on a far grander scale, with the 'yolk' representing the galactic bulge and the 'white' being the thin disk populated by stars, dust, and gas. This thin disk is where most of the visible matter, including young stars and the substances necessary for star formation, are located. When considering the full structure, including the thick disk of older stars surrounding the thin disk, the overall thickness would be approximately 2000 light-years, reinforcing the stated ratio of 50 regarding the galaxy's diameter to its overall thickness.