We see the sheet edge-on, as the sun is one of the billions of stars which occupy our Galactic disk. With radio and infrared telescopes we can see further still across the Milky Way, beyond the clouds of dust and gas which block the starlight. In these wavelengths we can map the structure and motion of the Galaxy as a whole. We can trace spiral arms and other features of the disk, measure the speed of rotation in different places, and map out the structure of the interstellar medium, the gas and dust between the stars. The Galactic plane is a violent, turbulent place.
New stars form from the collapse of interstellar clouds.
As old stars die they blow much of their material back into the interstellar medium, to recycle and form new stars again. Many University of Minnesota astronomers are active in the area of Galactic structure and interstellar medium studies. Way fairly well, there are still many mysteries. Once we have the maps, we can begin to work out what causes and drives the structure and motions we see. Someday, humanity may emigrate from the solar system, and spread out to populate the Galaxy.