Two Armed Spiral Milky Way . ... In fact, from a vantage point that viewed our galaxy face-on , astronomers in distant galaxies would likely see the Milky Way as a two-armed barred spiral similar to this artist's illustration . Previous investigations have identified a smaller central barred structure and four spiral arms. Astronomers still place the Sun about a third of the way in from the Milky Way's outer edge, in a minor arm called the Orion Spur. ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...