The Milky Way Breaks an Arm

The Milky Way galaxy is defined by a series of spiral arms made up of stars, gas, dust, and other elements. Much remains unknown about our galaxy because of our planet’s position inside it. But when astronomers recently focused on nebulae within a portion of the Sagittarius Arm, they made a discovery never previously observed: a break, sticking out like a splinter, consisting of young stars and star-forming gas clouds.

Photo by NASA/JPL-CALTECH

“Ultimately, this is a reminder that there are many uncertainties about the large-scale structure of the Milky Way,” said astrophysicist Robert Benjamin, “and we need to look at the details if we want to understand that bigger picture.”

As we continue to refine our understanding of God’s creation—including our galaxy—we can’t help but marvel at God’s handiwork and consider with the psalmist, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4)

This article was taken from Answers magazine, January–March, 2022, 28.