Astrophysicists Map Milky Way’s Four Spiral Arms

www.sciencedaily.com ^ | 01/07/2009 | Iowa State University.

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A research team that has developed the first complete map of the Milky Way galaxy's spiral arms. The map shows the inner part of the Milky Way has two prominent, symmetric spiral arms, which extend into the outer galaxy where they branch into four spiral arms.

"For the first time these arms are mapped over the entire Milky Way," said Iowa State University's Martin Pohl, an associate professor of physics and astronomy. "The branching of two of the arms may explain why previous studies -- using mainly the inner or mainly the outer galaxy -- have found conflicting numbers of spiral arms."

The new map was developed by Pohl, Peter Englmaier of the University of Zurich in Switzerland and Nicolai Bissantz of Ruhr-University in Bochum, Germany.

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This image shows the Milky Way's spiral arms marked in red. The color shading indicates the reconstructed gas density that researchers used to map the galaxy's spiral arms. (Credit: Image courtesy of Iowa State University)

[Red Badger]

Please fix title. s/b:

Astrophysicists Map Milky Way’s Four Spiral Arms

[Roccus]

Where’s the “You Are Here” arrow?

[Red Badger]

[Red Badger]

[Roccus]

OK, thank you. It’s always good to know where one’s at.

[Red Badger]

Think about this the next time someone says we must “save the planet”...........

[Roccus]

Nah.....my brain locks down as soon as I hear that. I can’t deal with stupidity.

[Red Badger]

I do not suffer fools gladly........which makes for interesting family holidays............

[Roccus]

Do like I did. “Lend” them enough money and you never hear from them again. Worked like a charm for me. ;)

[Red Badger]

I loaned a cousin of mine $20 in 1973, haven’t seen him since..........