The true size of the Milky Way

Spiral galaxies like our Milky Way are in fact larger than expected, according to a new study by Colorado Boulder University based on data collected from the Hubble Space Telescope.

>>>Video: Travel through the galaxy

Artwork: csmonitor.com

According to Phys.Org, lead researcher John Stocke said conventional spiral galaxies are covered by gas halo with a diameter that can span more than 1 million light-years.

For example, the current estimated diameter of the Milky Way must be around 100,000 light-years. The material forms galactic gas halo from exploding stars called supernovae. "This gas layer is stored and reused through expanded galactic gas halo, then returned to galaxies to fuel the formation of new star generations ," Professor Stocke explained.

He also argued that the upper halo might be a 'broken joint' in the evolution of the galaxy, which needs to be thoroughly studied if it is to have a complete view of the evolutionary chain.