Perseus Arm

Observed structure of the Milky Way's spiral arms.

The Perseus Arm is one of two major spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy. The second major arm is called the Scutum–Centaurus Arm. The Perseus Arm begins from the distal end of the long Milky Way central bar.[1] Previously thought to be 13,000 light-years away, it is now thought to lie 6,400 light years from the Solar System.[2]

  1. ^ Churchwell, Ed; Babler, Brian L.; Meade, Marlin A. (2009). "The Spitzer/GLIMPSE Surveys: A New View of the Milky Way" (PDF). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 121 (877): 213–230. Bibcode:2009PASP..121..213C. doi:10.1086/597811.
  2. ^ McKee, Maggie (8 December 2005). "Spiral arm of Milky Way looms closer than thought". New Scientist. Reed Business Information Ltd. Retrieved 31 October 2013.