- “Wow. Take a look at that! We found an entirely new world! Looks like there should be plenty of Power Stars here.”
- —Lubba, Super Mario Galaxy 2
World 2: Shooting Through the Stars is the second world featured in Super Mario Galaxy 2. It is located near a solar system different from Mario's, however, a very similar solar system was seen for a second during the ending of Super Mario Galaxy. In this world, there are many different galaxies, the last of which, Bowser's Lava Lair, features the first encounter with Bowser.
Galaxies
| Galaxy | Description | Star(s) | Unlocking criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
 Puzzle Plank Galaxy |
The galaxy features wooden planks floating in a blue sky, that Mario can stand on them as platforms. However, some sections of these platforms are cut by Grinders that eventually remove a part of the plank that falls to the void. |   
|
Defeat Gobblegut in Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla. |
 Hightail Falls Galaxy |
The bulk of the galaxy accommodates the use of the Dash Pepper. |
|
Collect a Star from the Puzzle Plank Galaxy. |
 Boulder Bowl Galaxy |
The galaxy features the first prominent use of the Rock Mushroom that turns Mario into a solid boulder. Bowling pin-like enemies called Pinheads are found in this galaxy. |
|
Get a Power Star in Puzzle Plank Galaxy. |
 Cosmic Cove Galaxy |
This galaxy is primarily a water-themed level, where players can freeze the water in the first mission to skate on the ice and up water falls, or swim through caverns to find key objects. |
|
Get a Star from either Boulder Bowl Galaxy or Hightail Falls Galaxy. |
 Wild Glide Galaxy |
This galaxy features a jungle with a river, and is one of two galaxies involving Fluzzard Gliding. |
|
Get a Power Star from either Boulder Bowl Galaxy or Hightail Falls Galaxy. |
 Honeybloom Galaxy |
This galaxy introduces the Bee Mushroom. The whole level takes place on one large cube-shaped planet with a side-scrolling view. |
|
Get a Power Star from either Boulder Bowl Galaxy or Hightail Falls Galaxy, then feed the Hungry Luma on the World 2 map 700 Star Bits. |
 Bowser's Lava Lair |
This galaxy is full of lava. There are also Whomps. Giant Bowser is fought for the first time here. | 
|
Collect 16 Power Stars, including one from Wild Glide Galaxy, Honeybloom Galaxy or Cosmic Cove Galaxy. |
Gallery
World 2 as viewed from the Grand World Map
The World 2 pathway
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | World 2：新たなる宇宙 World 2: Aratanaru uchū |
World 2: A New Space |
| Italian | Mondo 2: Alla Ricerca delle Stelle |
World 2: In Search of Stars |
Trivia
- The music played on this world's map is identical to World 1's music, until World 1's music is changed after green Prankster Comets appear later in the game.