Perseus Spiral Arm

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The Perseus Spiral Arm is a major spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy.

The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy with four major arms and and least two minor arms or spurs. The Perseus Spiral Arm, with a radius of approximately 10,700 parsecs, is located between the Cygnus Arm and the Sagittarius Arm. It is named after its proximity to the constellation Perseus.

There is speculation that the minor Orion Arm, which includes the solar system and Earth, is a branch of the Perseus Arm, but this is unconfirmed.

The Perseus Spiral arm contains a number of Messier objects:

• The Crab Nebula (M1)
• Open Cluster M36
• Open Cluster M37
• Open Cluster M38
• Open Cluster M52
• Open Cluster M103.

[edit] Other resources

[edit] See also

• List of Messier objects

[edit] External links

• Galactic Structure, Galactic Rotation Curve and Measurements on the M31 galaxy
• http://skyandtelescope.com/mm_images/6829.jpg
• Perseus Arm closer than previously thought
• Messier Objects in the Milky Way Galaxy (SEDS)

The Milky Way v • d • e

Galactic Core: Center of the Milky Way Spiral Arms: Carina Arm | Crux Arm | Cygnus Arm | Norma Arm | Orion Arm | Perseus Arm | Sagittarius Arm | Scutum Arm Location: Universe | Virgo Supercluster | Local Group Satellite galaxies: Boötes Dwarf | Canes Venatici Dwarf | Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy | Carina Dwarf | Draco Dwarf | Fornax Dwarf | Large Magellanic Cloud | Leo I | Leo II | Sag DEG | Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy | Sextans Dwarf | Small Magellanic Cloud | Ursa Major Dwarf | Ursa Minor Dwarf | Virgo Stellar Stream