Perseus Arm facts for kids

Structure of the Milky Way's spiral arms.

The Perseus Arm is one of two major spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy. The second major arm is called the Scutum–Centaurus Arm.

The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy with two major arms and a number of minor arms or spurs. The Perseus Spiral Arm, with a radius of about 10,700 parsecs, is between the minor Cygnus and Carina–Sagittarius Arms. It is so named because it is seen in the same direction as the constellation Perseus.

The local spur known as the Orion–Cygnus Arm, which includes the Solar System and Earth, may be a branch of the Perseus Arm, but this is unconfirmed.

The Perseus Spiral arm contains a number of Messier objects:

• The Crab Nebula (M1)
• Messier 36
• Messier 37
• Messier 38
• Messier 52
• Messier 103

It also contains a star 100 times larger than the sun. AC130

See also

In Spanish: Brazo de Perseo para niños