Image List

Astronomers have discovered a giant, spherical cavity within the Milky Way galaxy; its location is depicted on the right. A zoomed in view of the cavity (left) shows the Perseus and Taurus molecular clouds in red and blue, respectively. Though the clouds appear to touch in this 2D view, new 3D images of the clouds show they lie at very different distances on the surface of the cavity shown in green. This image was produced in glue using WorldWide Telescope's Milky Way data-driven cartoon (produced by Robert Hurt).

Watch an explainer video exploring how the cavity was formed and what it looks like in 3D here. The public may also view the cavity in augmented reality; learn how here.

Astronomers have discovered that two famous molecular clouds within the Milky Way galaxy, Perseus (red) and Taurus (blue), lie on the rim of a huge interstellar bubble, shedding new light on the process of star formation.

Astronomers mapping interstellar dust have discovered a huge, spherical-shaped cavity in space. The discovery shows that supernovae led to the creation of the Perseus and Taurus molecular clouds.