Final answer:
The Milky Way contains approximately 100 billion stars, which is a staggering number that highlights the vast scale of our Galaxy. Only a fraction of these stars are visible to the eye, with the potential for life estimated based on the existing scientific understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question How many stars are in the Milky Way? is approximately 100 billion stars. To provide a sense of scale, within a sphere of 100 light-years in radius centered on the Sun, we find roughly 10,000 stars, but this only scratches the surface of the Milky Way Galaxy. The sheer number of stars in our Galaxy is staggering, and only about 9,000 stars are visible to the unaided eye from Earth.
Considering the sequences leading to intelligent life, starting with the number of stars in the Milky Way, estimates can be made about the potential for life elsewhere in the galaxy.