新研究表明银河系的半光度半径为19,000光年，并且具有更为复杂的径向结构。 New research suggests the Milky Way galaxy's half-light radius is 19,000 light-years and has a more complex radial structure.

云南大学和国际机构在《自然天文学》上发表的新研究表明，银河系可能比以前认为的更大，并且具有更复杂的径向结构。 New research in Nature Astronomy by Yunnan University and international institutes suggests the Milky Way galaxy may be larger than previously thought, with a more complex radial structure. 利用恒星光谱调查构建了恒星的径向密度分布，揭示了银河系外部区域的结构遵循经典的指数分布，而内部区域则接近平坦。 Stellar spectroscopic surveys were used to construct a radial density distribution of stars, revealing the Galactic disk structure in the outer region follows a classical exponential distribution, while the inner region is nearly flat. 目前估计银河系的半光半径为 19,000 光年，与附近质量相似的星系一致。 The Milky Way's half-light radius is now estimated at 19,000 light-years, in line with nearby galaxies of similar mass.