Astronomy & Space

Massive new star map reveals clearest view of Milky Way yet

How the science connects

Astronomical surveyStellar spectroscopyGalactic astronomy

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The Sloan Digital Sky Survey V has released its 20th public data release, marking a major expansion of the Milky Way Mapper survey. This release provides the most comprehensive spectroscopic mapping of stars within and surrounding the Milky Way galaxy to date, offering unprecedented detail about our home galaxy's stellar composition and structure.


This detailed spectroscopic data will enable astronomers to better understand the formation, evolution, and structure of the Milky Way. The publicly available dataset can be used by researchers worldwide to study stellar populations, chemical compositions, and galactic dynamics.


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Astronomical survey Concept coming soon Stellar spectroscopy Concept coming soon Galactic astronomy Concept coming soon

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey V (SDSS-V) has announced its 20th public data release (DR20), delivering a dramatic expansion of the Milky Way Mapper (MWM) scientific survey—the most detailed spectroscopic map yet assembled of stars in and around our home galaxy.

Source: Charting the galaxy: Milky Way Mapper survey releases latest all-sky spectra