Astrophysics (Index)About

Scutum-Centaurus Arm

(Scutum-Crux Arm)
(one of two spiral galaxy arms from the Milky-Way bar)

The Scutum-Centaurus Arm (i.e., Scutum-Crux Arm) is one of two major Milky Way spiral arms, i.e., the two arms rooted at its bar, the other being the Perseus Arm. Such arms contain star-forming regions, and a major star forming region is at the point where the Scutum-Centaurus Arm meets the bar.

The solar system is in neither of these: its current position is in one of the Milky Way's minor arms termed the Orion-Cygnus Arm (aka the Orion Arm, Local Arm, Orion Bridge, or Orion Spur).


(Milky Way)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutum-Centaurus_Arm
https://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/outreach/MilkyWayLEDCraft2019.pdf

Referenced by pages:
Nessie
spiral arm

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