What feature contains our solar system relative to the major spiral arms?
Answer
The Orion Spur
The solar system, including the Sun and the planets, resides within a feature known as the Orion Spur. This structure is specifically differentiated from the main, massive spiral arms of the galaxy. It is characterized as a comparatively smaller, local structure. Functionally, it acts as a minor offshoot or perhaps a bridge situated between the two larger structures known as the Perseus Arm and the Sagittarius Arm. This location is crucial because it places our neighborhood outside the immense density concentration found within the primary arms, offering a less obstructed view of the galactic plane.
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