[clyde asbury]

The study I remember was from several years ago, so it may very well not have been substantiated in later studies. I've forgotten what was found to suggest the arms of a barred spiral.

Either way, the Milky Way must be an impressive sight.

[RightWhale]

I remember from childhood when the Milky Way was actually visible that a lot of structure could be seen like a superhighway going off into the distance as far as you could imagine. Come to think of it, though, there was a report that the main structure is slightly barred, not as pronounced as the one in your image.