The Milky Way in 3D

This view shows a three-dimensional map of the Milky Way: the spiral arms (Perseus, Sagittarius, Scutum–Centaurus and the Orion Spur), the galactic core and the place of our Solar System within the Orion Arm.

At the centre sits the Sagittarius A* supermassive black hole, surrounded by billions of stars and the two Magellanic Clouds. You can orbit the galaxy freely and zoom in.

From here you can return to the Solar System, or move on to a galaxy far, far away.

More 3D views:Solar System Star Wars galaxy

Objects shown in this view

Sagittarius A* (supermassive black hole): The center of the Milky Way; in 2022 the Event Horizon Telescope imaged its shadow.
Sun / Solar System (G2V star · you are here): Orbits the galactic center at ~230 km/s.
Orion Nebula (M42) (diffuse nebula · stellar nursery): A naked-eye star-forming region in the sword of Orion.
Pleiades (M45) (open star cluster): Young, hot blue stars; 6–7 are visible to the naked eye.
Eagle Nebula (M16) (emission nebula + star cluster): Home of Hubble’s famous “Pillars of Creation” image.
Alpha Centauri (triple star system): The closest star system to the Sun; Proxima Centauri b orbits in the habitable zone.
Betelgeuse (red supergiant): The shoulder of Orion; astronomically speaking, it will explode as a supernova in the near future.
Crab Nebula (M1) (supernova remnant): The remnant of the supernova observed in 1054; a pulsar sits at its center.
Lagoon Nebula (M8) (emission nebula): A naked-eye stellar nursery toward Sagittarius.
Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) (giant emission nebula): One of the largest stellar nurseries; home to Eta Carinae.
Double Cluster (h and χ Persei) (pair of open clusters): Two young clusters side by side, both visible to the naked eye.
Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) (globular cluster): The Milky Way’s largest globular cluster, with millions of ancient stars.
Rosette Nebula (emission nebula): A flower-shaped stellar nursery with a young cluster at its heart.
Vela Supernova Remnant (supernova remnant): The remnant of a star that exploded ~11,000 years ago, with a pulsar.
Rho Ophiuchi Cloud (star-forming cloud): One of the closest, most colorful clouds of dust and gas.
North America Nebula (NGC 7000) (emission nebula): A nebula named for its continent-like shape, near Deneb.
Large Magellanic Cloud (satellite dwarf galaxy): The Milky Way’s largest companion; supernova SN 1987A erupted here.
Small Magellanic Cloud (satellite dwarf galaxy): A dwarf galaxy visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere.