# All about dust August 28, 2012 - [ News ](/news-categories/news) > The space between stars is not empty—it contains copious amounts of gas and dust. Astronomers estimate that about 5-10% of the total mass of our Milky Way galaxy is contained in the interstellar gas and dust, and about 1% is in the form of tiny dust grains made predominantly of silicates, rather like fine sand. Some grains are also composed of carbon and other elements. > Read more: > > See also:- [ Astrophysics ](/talk-types/astrophysics) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)