New measurements reveal that the Milky Way has a significantly different shape than previously thought. For decades, astronomers believed that most galaxies had either an elliptical, irregular, or spiral shape, with the latter often featuring two prominent arms and several smaller ones. However, the Milky Way, which is also a spiral galaxy, was traditionally depicted with four arms, making it an exception in the universe. Recently, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences published a study in The Astrophysical Journal suggesting that this traditional representation of the Milky Way may be incorrect. According to their analysis, the Milky Way has only two spiral arms.
The research team used data from the latest cosmic devices, which can more accurately determine the distances to various stars, to study nearly 200 celestial bodies and create an updated representation of our galaxy. They then integrated these results with those from the Gaia space telescope, a project of the European Space Agency that focuses on the precise examination of star movements and their positions relative to our home planet. The study focused on a category of celestial bodies called OB stars, which are characterized by their exceptional heat and high mass, and are rare in the universe. The analysis of these stars supported the scientists’ hypothesis that the Milky Way has only two prominent spiral arms.
The researchers also observed segmented spiral arms in the periphery of the Milky Way that do not connect to the central densification of the galaxy, where most stars are located. This segmentation could be a result of past collisions with other galaxies. The team believes that this updated model of the Milky Way’s structure could serve as an alternative starting point for future investigations into the galaxy’s composition.
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