Public domain
X-Shaped Bulge in the Milky Way
From the collection of NASA Image and Video Library. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
In 2010, NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission observed the entire sky twice. Astronomers used these data to point out the X-shaped structure in the bulge of the Milky Way, contained in the small circle at center, as well as the inset image. The circled central portion covers roughly the area of sky that would be blocked by a basketball when held out at arm's length.
NASA Image and Video Library’s own descriptionCredit lineX-Shaped Bulge in the Milky Way. NASA/JPL, 2016-07-19. Public domain. ID: PIA20699.
