Astronomers create 3D map of Milky Way's dust

Chinese and U.S. astronomers have created the first 3D map of interstellar dust in the Milky Way. This map uses data from China's Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopy Telescope and the European Space Agency's Gaia observatory. The new map reveals how interstellar dust dims and reddens starlight, addressing a long-standing challenge in astronomy. Previously, astronomers relied on simplified models that did not account for variations in dust properties. The research combines two million stellar spectra with data from Gaia, allowing for a more accurate understanding of dust extinction across different locations and wavelengths. This advancement may enhance studies of star formation and exoplanets.