The Milky Way

The Milky Way Galaxy is a large barred spiral galaxy that is approximately 100,000 light years in diameter, and contains over 400 billion stars. The galaxy is composed of three major parts: the core, the disc, which is the ring of stars and interstellar dust that gives the galaxy its spiral shape, and the halo, which includes many older stars orbiting the core, but outside the disc, of which most are concentrated in massive globular clusters.

It is divided into four major areas called quadrants: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, each of which compose one-quarter of the galaxy.

The TNG-Aschen Conflict
After thousands of years, the Milky Way is largely colonized. Many civilizations have grown into prominence, and nearly just as many have faded into irrelevance. Among the more recent events has been the conflict between the Aschen Empire and the Terran National Government, currently in a state of armistice in the southwest region of the galaxy.

Travelers are warned to remain vigilant the western portions of the Orion Spur and throughout the Perseus Arm. A map is provided below for your convenience.