From our vantage point inside the Galaxy, studying the structure and evolution of stars and gas in the Milky Way requires a unique set of tools and resources. We gain an opportunity with this perspective to trace the organization and processes of a galactic machine from very large to tiny scales. However, it also complicates efforts to accurately measure and separate structures to establish the true global structure of the Milky Way.
Research Groups
Galactic Structure
Run by Ron Reynolds, Blair Savage, Edward Churchwell, and Bart Wakker.
GALFA
Run by Snezana Stanimirovic.
Galactic Dynamics
Run by Elena D’Onghia.
GLIMPSE
Run by Edward Churchwell and Bob Benjamin.