spiral arms

Spiral arms are the prominent features of spiral galaxies, made up of dense collections of stars, gas, and dust that form a spiral pattern extending from the galaxy's center. These arms are not fixed structures; rather, they are areas of higher density where new stars often form. They are maintained by gravity and density waves moving through the galaxy, creating the appearance of a spiral. Think of them as cosmic highways bustling with star formation, shaping the galaxy’s elegant, swirling appearance.