Teasing Out the True Milky Way

Explore the intricacies of our galaxy in this 55-minute astrophysics colloquium talk by Alyssa Goodman from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Delve into the structure of spiral galaxies, focusing on the Milky Way and its newly discovered features like the Radcliffe Wave. Examine the Perseus Molecular Cloud and learn about spectra analysis techniques used in galactic research. Gain insights into numerical simulations and their role in understanding galactic structures, including the mysterious "Nessie" filament. Discover the importance of maser distances in mapping our galaxy and enjoy an entertaining anecdote related to the field. This presentation, part of the Joint Institute for Advanced Study / Princeton University Astrophysics Colloquium series, offers a comprehensive look at cutting-edge research aimed at uncovering the true nature of the Milky Way.