360-degree portrait of the Milky Way

With a 360-degree portrait project, zoomed into the Milky Way, American experts have provided a whole new perspective on the structure and content of this spiral star system.

>>>Beautiful 3D images of the galaxy

In order to create an impressive portrait of the Milky Way, University of Wisconsin astronomers sequenced two million images captured by NASA's Spitzer space telescope over time.

The Milky Way can now be viewed at a 360-degree angle - (Photo: NASA)

'For the first time, we can measure the large-scale structure of our galaxy by using stars instead of gas,' says Space.com, quoted by expert Edward Churchwell.

With this project, astronomers learned more about the location of the spiral arms of the Milky Way.

Churchwell, a professor of astronomy at the University of Wisconsin, is a member of a group of researchers who mount images taken under infrared lenses, according to a project called GLIMPSE360 .

Meanwhile, Barb Whitney, the team leader, said the new image will help astronomers see where the Milky Way's new stars form and how the system works as a whole.

'The work provides us with some more ideas regarding the Milky Way's metabolic rate, such as how many stars are forming every year,' said Whitney expert.