most star formation takes place in the spiral arms ring of the milky way.
in what ring does most star formation take place in the milky way?
spiral arms
the nature of the milky way's bar is actively debated, with estimates for its half-length and orientation spanning from and 10–50 degrees relative to the line of sight from earth to the galactic center. certain authors advocate that the milky way features two distinct bars, one nestled within the other. however, rr lyrae variables do not trace a prominent galactic bar. the bar may be surrounded by a ring called the "5-kpc ring" that contains a large fraction of the molecular hydrogen present in the milky way, as well as most of the milky way's star formation activity. viewed from the andromeda galaxy, it would be the brightest feature of the milky way. x-ray emission from the core is aligned with the massive stars surrounding the central bar and the galactic ridge.
milky way
the rate of star formation in the milky way is much higher, with andromeda galaxy producing only about one solar mass per year compared to 3–5 solar masses for the milky way. the rate of novae in the milky way is also double that of andromeda galaxy. this suggests that the latter once experienced a great star formation phase, but is now in a relative state of quiescence, whereas the milky way is experiencing more active star formation. should this continue, the luminosity of the milky way may eventually overtake that of andromeda galaxy.
andromeda galaxy