When we look up at the Milky Way. Which arm/spiral are we looking at Perseus or Sagittarius?

Question

http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/milkyway.html

Answer 1

In the southern hemisphere, we look at the same stars as in the north. We don't look towards Sagittarius; that's in winter for us. We see Orion.

At this time of year, our night side is facing the "outer" part of the galaxy. Because we're believed to be on the inner edge of what we call the Orion arm, we're looking into (and in some cases beyond) that one. In the middle of the year when we're on the other side of the sun, we look into the Carina-Sagittarius arm. The Milky Way is brighter in that direction because it's towards the centre of the galaxy, hence greater concentrations of stars.

Answer 2

We are in the Orion Arm.

If you look toward the centre of the galaxy, in Sagittarius, you are looking toward the Sagittarius Arm. If you look the opposite direction, you are looking toward the Perseus Arm. If you look at right angles to these directions (e.g. Cygnus, Puppis) you are looking along the Orion Arm.

While most naked eye stars are in the Orion Arm, many deep sky objects have been identified in the other arms. The Lagoon Nebula, M8, for example, is in the Sagittarius Arm.

Answer 3

If you're in the Southern Hemisphere of Earth, you are looking toward Sagittarius in the summer, and in fact, you're actually looking right toward the center of the Milky Way. In the Northern Hemisphere, you're looking toward Sagittarius in the winter months, but the actual center of the milkyway is below your horizon.

That said, most of the stars you can see with the naked eye are actually part of the Orion arm - that's how big the galaxy is!

Answer 4

Depends on the direction we're looking at. In the... winter.... I think it's Sagittarius; In the summer, i think it's the Perseus arm. (And... I may have those reversed...)

Answer 5

Neither. We are in the Orion arm and most of the stars we see with the naked eye are local. Perseus is the next closest arm so if its a multiple choice, use that one.

Answer 6

It depends on what season it is. Different constellations appear and disappear each season.