JoinScope on the Skies: The new Milky Way galaxy
When students are asked about the Milky Way galaxy and where our solar system is located, most will describe it as a spiral-shaped galaxy with the Sun located on one of the spiral arms. While this is essentially correct, data obtained with the Spitzer telescope have provided new insight into the shape of our galaxy and given us a newer model of the Milky Way galaxy to consider. This month’s column sheds light on the new Milky Way galaxy and the Spitzer telescope.