The Milky Way may be larger than scientists expected
A new discovery has scientists believing the Milky Way galaxy might actually be larger than they previously thought.
According to new research, the Milky Way isn't quite shaped like a spiral. Not only that, but it's now believed to be 30 percent larger than what scientists initially thought.
SEE ALSO: Hubble finds new evidence of water plumes on Europa
Researchers calculate that the galaxy stretches more than 20,000 light-years across, roughly four times what scientists had thought before. That's still a lot shorter than the major arms.
The research concludes the galaxy is not so much a spiral but more of a chaotic shape containing many branches and spurs.
The Milky Way is comprised of four arms of gas, stars and dust that shoot out from the center. And our corner of the galaxy, called the Local Arm, is much larger than they suspected.
Also see these incredible images:
