Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Space
Space
Science
Robert Lea

Milky Way galaxy's spiral arms revealed in stunning detail by chemical mapping

An illustration of the Milky Way with red and blue spots showing areas with few (blue) and many (red) heavy elements

Never-before-seen details of the Milky Way's spiral arms have been revealed through chemical mapping. 

This pioneering technique, called chemical cartography, has unveiled new regions of our galaxy's stunning radial features populated by dense patches of young stars. Headed by Keith Hawkins, an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin, the research team's work could be crucial for astronomers seeking to understand our galaxy's evolution, shape and structure. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.