Coding:

circled dot = Sun (top center)
spirals = stellar arms (with names)
dots = circles around the galactic center (0,0)
bar = the galactic bar going through the galactic center
black area = unobserved galactic area (bottom center)
scale =  3000 light-years are worth about 1 kiloparsec (1 kpc)
 
(c) Astrophysical Journal, Univ. Chicago Press, USA
    "Metastudy of the spiral structure of our home galaxy", by J.P.Vallée  
    2002, volume 566, pages 261-266


Thin arms

Thick arms


 

(c) submitted to Mercury


Coloured arms


(c) submitted to Mercury


Unwrapped arms



(c) Astrophysical Journal, Univ. Chicago Press, USA
    "Metastudy of the spiral structure of our home galaxy", by J.P.Vallée  
    2002, volume 566, pages 261-266