Blitz L, Fich M, Kulkarni S
Science. 1983 Jun 17;220(4603):1233-40. doi: 10.1126/science.220.4603.1233.
Our understanding of the large-scale structure of the Milky Way has undergone considerable revision during the past few years. The Galaxy is larger and much more massive than was previously supposed; the newly discovered mass consists of nonluminous matter which is likely to be the dominant form of matter in the universe. New analyses of the atomic hydrogen gas show that the disk of the Galaxy is about twice as extended as was previously thought. Beyond the sun, the gas is concentrated in large-scale, coherent spiral arms indicative of a regular four-armed spiral pattern. The outer edge of the disk has a remarkable scalloping.
在过去几年里，我们对银河系大规模结构的认识经历了相当大的修正。银河系比之前认为的更大且质量更重；新发现的质量由不发光物质构成，这种物质很可能是宇宙中物质的主要形式。对原子氢气的新分析表明，银河系的圆盘比之前认为的大约宽两倍。在太阳之外，气体集中在大规模、连贯的旋臂中，显示出规则的四条旋臂模式。圆盘的外边缘有明显的扇形边缘。
