First-Author Papers
The Superclouds of the Local Milky Way
Focusing on the largest scales in Gaia-based 3D dust maps, we find a pattern of seven highly elongated, mostly parallel structures in the local \(\sim\)5 kpc\(^2\), five of which were previously unknown. These findings establish a new framework for understanding how large-scale Galactic structures shape the conditions for star formation in the solar vicinity, and likely in galaxies like the Milky Way.
Interactive Figures
Figure 1: 3D view of the 40 HOP clouds
Starting with a face-on view of the 40 HOP clouds, the Galactic Center is located to the right. Each cloud is assigned a distinct color, the Sun is represented by the yellow dot in the center.
Full screen view here.
Figure 4: 3D view of the seven superclouds
Starting with a face-on view of the seven superclouds, the Galactic Center is located to the right. Each cloud is assigned a distinct color, the Sun is represented by the yellow dot in the center.
Full screen view here.
Co-Authored Papers
A New Gaia Census of OB Associations within 1 kpc
A complete census of ∼25,000 O- and B-type stars within 1 kpc of the Sun is used to produce a highly-reliable catalogue of 56 OB associations using the HDBSCAN clustering algorithm, increasing the number of known OB associations by a factor of two within this volume. The locations of these OB associations are compared with the local superclouds and other features in the solar neighborhood to discuss the implications for star formation.