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Orion Arm
Sign in to saveAlso known as Local Arm, Local Spur, Orion Spur, Orion-Cygnus Arm, Local Galactic Spur, Orion Bridge
minor spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy; contains the Solar System
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Figure 1.The reconstructed structure of the Milky Way's spiral arms
The Orion Arm, also known as the Orion–Cygnus Arm, is a minor spiral arm within the Milky Way Galaxy spanning 3,500 light-years (1,100 parsecs) in width and extending roughly 20,000 light-years (6,100 parsecs) in length. This galactic structure encompasses the Solar System, including Earth. It is sometimes referred to by alternate names such as the Local Arm or Orion Bridge, and it was previously identified as the Local Spur or the Orion Spur. It should not be confused with the outer terminus of the Norma Arm, known as the Cygnus Arm.