New Milky Way graphic

[selden]

The ESA has released a new graphic of the Milky Way (with and without annotations) which is based on Gaia data. Unfortunately (so far as I'm concerned, anyhow), its contrast is quite a bit lower than the NASA graphic currently being used by OA.

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Image..._Milky_Way

[stevebowers]

Thanks!
Sometimes it is useful to merge the newest interpretations with the older ones, so I'll see if this new (unannotated) image is useful in that regard.
I wonder if the stars shown in that image correspond to know 'beacon stars'.

[selden]

I suspect its creator ( Stefan Payne-Wardenaar ) would be willing to provide more information. There's a contact form on his Web site.

https://stefanpw.myportfolio.com/home

[stevebowers]

Thanks!
I particularly like the dark streaks visible in the galactic arms. These seem to be a common feature of spiral galaxies that can only be seen in hi-res photos. I think they are giant molecular clouds.