"2°×1° region of the GRS displaying emission from molecular clouds located within the Galactic Ring. Previously identified as one of the most massive gravitational structures in the Milky Way, astronomers believe that this Galactic Ring is a signature feature of our home Galaxy: if alien civilizations from other galaxies were to peer down on the Milky Way, they would note the immense concentration of starforming molecular clouds located in donut-like distribution about the Galactic Center." GRS Press Release

"Data from the Galactic Ring Survey have shown that these clouds are the counterparts to active, bright star-forming clouds, but because they have not yet been heated by the embedded stars, they are much colder and quieter,...Another interesting result is that all of the molecular clouds studied so far have similar lumpy structures, regardless of their size, mass, and star-forming activity. These lumps will eventually become stars and, according to the researchers, this similarity suggests that all clouds form stars of various masses in roughly the same proportion." Space Flight Now

Enjoy, Vince