The Milky Way Galaxy, seen edge-on. (Credit: NASA)

Although it’s relatively nearby, the far side of the Milky
Way is one of the hardest parts of the observable universe to see. That means there
are still outstanding questions in astronomy as to what our galactic home
really looks like.

But a new study charting over 1,100 new stars on the Milky
Way’s distant side provides astronomers fresh insight into its architecture, allowing
us to better understand the shape of the galaxy we live in.