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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|Forerunner|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Wikipedia}}
{{Wikipedia}}
[[File:Milky Way 2.jpg|thumb|The Milky Way as seen from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].]]
[[File:Milky Way 2.jpg|thumb|The Milky Way as seen from [[Installation 00|the Ark]]. The pink 'dots' are massive patches of intense star formation.]]
The '''Milky Way''', known as '''Path Tolgreth''' to the [[Forerunner]]s,{{Ref/Novel|Id=HPoL24|HPoL|Chapter=24}} is a [[wikipedia:Barred spiral galaxy|barred spiral galaxy]].{{Ref/Reuse|YTAccurate}}{{Ref|See the [[#Production notes|production notes]] section}}
[[File:Ssc2008-10a.jpg|thumb|An overhead view of the Milky Way.]]
The '''Milky Way''' is a [[wikipedia:Barred spiral galaxy|barred spiral galaxy]] approximately 100,000 light years in diameter that lies within the [[wikipedia:Local group|local group]] of the galactic neighborhood. It is approximately 100,000 light years in diameter and is estimated to contain 100—400 billion stars. The Milky Way is orbited by two small satellite galaxies known as the [[Magellanic Clouds]].<ref name="clouds">'''[[Halo: Cryptum]]''', ''page 268''</ref> It is the galaxy where [[human]]ity and the former [[Covenant]] client species reside,<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 26''</ref> “The Covenant, as an empire, dominated much of the galaxy, though they would generally leave a world untouched unless it offered particular treasures, whether practical or religious”. The unsc however is largely limited to the [[Orion Arm]] of the Milky Way.<ref name="Warfleet">''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 12-13</ref> The galaxy is also home to a number of other intelligent species, although only a small number of these have attained spacefaring or even technological status.<ref name="bulkhead banter">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-bulkhead-banter '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Bulkhead Banter'']</ref>


It is the galaxy where [[human]]ity and the former [[Covenant]] client species reside,{{Ref/Novel|[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]|Page=26}} “The Covenant, as an empire, dominated much of the galaxy, though they would generally leave a world untouched unless it offered particular treasures, whether practical or religious”. The UNSC, however, is largely limited to the [[Orion Arm]] of the Milky Way.<ref name="Warfleet">''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 12-13</ref> The galaxy is also home to a number of other intelligent species, although only a small number of these have attained spacefaring or even technological status.{{Ref/Site|Id=bulkhead banter|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-bulkhead-banter|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Bulkhead Banter}} In total, the galaxy was home to quadrillions.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Divine Wind|Chapter=1}}
==Description==
[[File:Milky Way.jpg|thumb|The Milky Way seen in infrared from Earth.]]
The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy of either [[wikipedia:SBb|SBb]] or [[wikipedia:SBc|SBc]] classification on the Hubble Sequence. It has two major arms, each sporting several minor arms that stem off of the major arm. One of these arms, the [[Sagittarius Arm]], is home to the [[Orion Arm]]. Splotches of intense star birth and formation can be seen in the arms. These areas are pink/red in hue and appear as wisps or clouds situated in the galactic plane. The Milky Way is visible from [[Earth]] as a band of light in the night sky, from which its [[English]] name derives from.


==Overview==
The Milky Way is composed of a disk, in which all the arms and the majority of galactic matter lies, and the galactic bulge, essentially the center of a galaxy. The bulge is home to the galactic nucleus, the dead center of a galaxy and home to an extremely dense clustering of ancient stars. The nucleus is also thought to support a supermassive black hole. Additionally, most known galaxies possess a halo of old and dying star clusters left over from the galaxy's formation. These clusters are situated up to 100,000 light years from the galactic bulge. Habitable planets may certainly lie within the halo, and some clusters may escape the range of the Halo effect given their distance from the galactic center.
[[File:HWF - Full Galaxy map.jpg|thumb|A map of the Milky Way galaxy.{{Ref/Book|Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo}}]]
From outside, the Milky Way is a vaguely disk shaped galaxy with a bright center.{{Ref/Reuse|arklevel}} From inside however, the galaxy appears to be a clouded, bulbous band.{{Ref/Map|Halo 3|[[Orbital]]}}
 
It is orbited by two small satellite galaxies known as the [[Magellanic Clouds]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=clouds|[[Halo: Cryptum]]|Page=268}}
 
===Locations===
*[[Sagittarius Arm]]
**[[Ephsu system]]
*[[Kerrec Irruption]]
*[[IX-KA anomaly]]
*[[Rhotero]]
*[[Invicta]]
*[[Jad Sappar]]
*[[Greater Tiger]]
*[[Seclusion]]
*[[Norma Arm]]
**[[Coelest system]]
*[[Orion Arm]]
**[[Human colonies]] {{C|[[Prehistoric human civilization#Sphere of influence|prehistoric humans]]}}
**[[Covenant#Known Covenant worlds|Covenant systems and worlds]]
***[[Sangheili colonies]]
**[[Ecumene#Known regions, systems and worlds|Forerunner systems and worlds]]
*[[Scutum-Centaurus Arm]]
**[[Khaphrae system]]
*[[Cygnus Arm]]
**[[Korinth Prior system]]


==History==
==History==
===Prehistory===
===Prehistory===
100,000 years before the present day, the previous galactic community was dominated by the [[Forerunner]]s, a now [[extinction|extinct]] species that possessed extremely advanced technology and [[Ecumene|an empire]] that spanned a significant portion of the galaxy. Millions of years before the rise of the Forerunners, an even more advanced civilization known as the [[Precursor]]s controlled the Milky Way. Having reached the pinnacle of [[Technological Achievement Tiers|technological advancement]], they were believed to have significantly contributed to the evolution of life across the galaxy, even created several species, such as Forerunners and humans. Over ten million years before the present, however, the Forerunners [[Forerunner-Precursor war|rose up against]] their creators in defiance of their decision to bestow their [[Mantle]] on humanity,{{Ref/Novel|Id=primordium|[[Halo: Primordium]]}} and seemingly ended their rule in the galaxy after destroying their last remnants in the [[Large Magellanic Cloud]].{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Silentium|Page=181-182}}
100,000 years before the present day, the previous galactic community was dominated by the [[Forerunner]]s, a now [[extinction|extinct]] species that possessed extremely advanced technology and [[Ecumene|an empire]] that spanned a significant portion of the galaxy. Millions of years before the rise of the Forerunners, an even more advanced civilization known as the [[Precursor]]s controlled the Milky Way. Having reached the pinnacle of [[Technological Achievement Tiers|technological advancement]], they were believed to have significantly contributed to the evolution of life across the galaxy, even created several species, such as Forerunners and humans. Over ten million years before the present, however, the Forerunners [[Forerunner-Precursor war|rose up against]] their creators in defiance of their decision to bestow their [[Mantle]] on humanity,<ref name="primordium">'''[[Halo: Primordium]]'''</ref> and seemingly ended their rule in the galaxy after destroying their last remnants in the [[Large Magellanic Cloud]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 181-182''</ref>


The Forerunners, originating from [[Ghibalb]] in the [[Orion complex]], ruled a large portion of the galaxy for millions of years, affecting the development of other species as they saw fit. Around [[150,000 BCE]], [[human]]ity, still composed of many species, arose from their homeworld Earth, known as "Erde-Tyrene" at the time. They mastered interstellar travel and began to move [[Prehistoric human civilization|their civilization]] along the Orion Arm of the Milky Way. They later [[Human-San'Shyuum alliance|allied]] with the [[San'Shyuum]] species, forming a prosperous interstellar empire based on the [[planet]] [[Charum Hakkor]]. Around [[107,445 BCE]], humanity and their San'Shyuum allies came into contact with the Flood, a sentient parasite supposedly originating from the [[Large Magellanic Cloud]].{{Ref/Reuse|clouds}} Hundreds of systems were lost to the parasite in the [[Human-Flood war|resulting conflict]]. Meanwhile, humanity's aggressive expansion and the perceived violations of the [[Mantle]] prompted the Forerunners to take action and begin [[human-Forerunner wars|a war]] against humanity. Although the Flood later withdrew and seemingly died out from the galaxy, it had already weakened the humans enough to allow the Forerunners to emerge victorious.{{Ref/Novel|Id=cryptum|[[Halo: Cryptum]]}}
The Forerunners, originating from [[Ghibalb]] in the [[Orion complex]], ruled a large portion of the galaxy for millions of years, affecting the development of other species as they saw fit. Around [[150,000 BCE]], [[human]]ity, still composed of many species, arose from their homeworld Earth, known as "Erde-Tyrene" at the time. They mastered interstellar travel and began to move [[Prehistoric human civilization|their civilization]] along the Orion Arm of the Milky Way. They later [[Human-San'Shyuum alliance|allied]] with the [[San'Shyuum]] species, forming a prosperous interstellar empire based on the planet [[Charum Hakkor]]. Around [[107,445 BCE]], humanity and their San'Shyuum allies came into contact with the Flood, a sentient parasite supposedly originating from the [[Large Magellanic Cloud]].<ref name="clouds"/> Hundreds of systems were lost to the parasite in the [[Human-Flood war|resulting conflict]]. Meanwhile, humanity's aggressive expansion and the perceived violations of the [[Mantle]] prompted the Forerunners to take action and begin [[human-Forerunner wars|a war]] against humanity. Although the Flood later withdrew and seemingly died out from the galaxy, it had already weakened the humans enough to allow the Forerunners to emerge victorious.<ref name="cryptum">'''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'''</ref>


Following the war in approximately [[106,445 BCE]], the Forerunners dismantled humanity's civilization, regressing them into a [[Technological Achievement Tiers|Tier 7 species]]. The remaining humans were devolved and exiled to their homeworld, where they slowly began to redevelop [[Erde-Tyrene civilization|a primitive civilization]] under the tutelage of the Forerunner [[Lifeshaper]], the [[Librarian]].{{Ref/Reuse|cryptum}}
Following the war in approximately [[106,445 BCE]], the Forerunners dismantled humanity's civilization, regressing them into a [[Technological Achievement Tiers|Tier 7 species]]. The remaining humans were devolved and exiled to their homeworld, where they slowly began to redevelop [[Erde-Tyrene civilization|a primitive civilization]] under the tutelage of the Forerunner [[Lifeshaper]], the [[Librarian]].<ref name="cryptum"/>


===Activation of the Halo Array===
===Activation of the Halo Array===
{{Main|Forerunner-Flood war}}
{{Main|Forerunner-Flood war}}


10,000 years after humanity's conflict with the Flood, the parasite resurfaced and attacked worlds of the Forerunners' domain. Encounters with the Flood led to the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], with the Flood consuming or killing the great majority of the galaxy's sentient species as the Forerunners first studied them, and then tried to stop them. Eventually, the Forerunners were forced to activate the ultimate weapon, the [[Halo Array]], in order to stop them - at the same time, killing its builders. The Forerunners built safe havens, including the [[Shield World]]s and [[Installation 00|the Ark]], to save the remaining sentient species in plan known as the [[Conservation Measure]], before [[Great Purification|activating the Array]], scouring the galaxy of all sentient life forms and killing the Flood except for samples kept on the Halos, then [[reintroduction|releasing]] the saved species from their havens to their home worlds.
10,000 years after humanity's conflict with the Flood, the parasite resurfaced and attacked worlds of the Forerunners' domain. Encounters with the Flood led to the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], with the Flood consuming or killing the great majority of the galaxy's sentient species as the Forerunners first studied them, and then tried to stop them. Eventually, the Forerunners were forced to activate the ultimate weapon, the [[Halo Array]], in order to stop them - at the same time, killing its builders. The Forerunners built safe havens, including the [[Shield World]]s and [[Installation 00|the Ark]], to save the remaining sentient species in plan known as the [[Conservation Measure]], before [[Great Purification|activating the Array]], scouring the galaxy of all sentient life forms and killing the Flood except for samples kept on the Halos, then releasing the saved species from their havens to their home worlds.


===Galactic recovery===
===Galactic recovery===
{{Main|Dark time}}
Almost 100,000 years afterward, the galaxy had recovered substantially, leading to the rise of two great civilizations; the [[UNSC]], comprised of the majority of humanity and controlled from [[Earth]], and the [[Covenant]], a hegemony of many different species who worshiped the Forerunners as gods. Contact between the UNSC and Covenant was not peaceful, leading to the [[Human-Covenant War]], which destroyed hundreds of human colonies and killed billions of colonists and UNSC military personnel, since the Covenant possessed more advanced technology, mostly reverse-engineered from Forerunner artifacts.
Almost 100,000 years afterward, the galaxy had recovered substantially, leading to the rise of two great civilizations; the [[UNSC]], comprised of the majority of humanity and controlled from [[Earth]], and the [[Covenant]], a hegemony of many different species who worshiped the Forerunners as gods. Contact between the UNSC and Covenant was not peaceful, leading to the [[Human-Covenant War]], which destroyed hundreds of human colonies and killed billions of colonists and UNSC military personnel, since the Covenant possessed more advanced technology, mostly reverse-engineered from Forerunner artifacts.


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===Post-war===
===Post-war===
[[File:H5G-Lasky&Roland.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Roland]] and [[Thomas Lasky|Lasky]] examining the takeover of multiple systems by the [[Created]].{{Ref/Reuse|guardianslevel}}]]
Following the end of the Human-Covenant War, humanity began a long process of rebuilding, while elements within the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] sought to ensure their former enemies - mainly the Sangheili - would not rise again. Meanwhile, humanity gained significant advances in technology due to the discovery of Forerunner artifacts during and after the war.
Following the end of the Human-Covenant War, humanity began a long process of rebuilding, while elements within the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] sought to ensure their former enemies - mainly the Sangheili - would not rise again. Meanwhile, humanity gained significant advances in technology due to the discovery of Forerunner artifacts during and after the war.


Though the civilization of the Sangheili had plunged into chaos due to the [[Covenant remnants|breaking of the Covenant]],{{Ref/Novel|Id=glass|Halo: Glasslands}} the conflict between them and the Jiralhanae would still rage by [[2559]]. Humanity, as well, would continue to face conflict both within and without, in the form of resurgent [[Insurrectionist]] movements as well as various hostile [[Covenant remnants]]. [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|These irregular conflicts]] later saw significant Forerunner involvement, both in terms of contention for Forerunner artifacts but also the reawakening of the Forerunner commander known as the [[Ur-Didact]] and his [[Promethean]] armies on [[Requiem]].
Though the civilization of the Sangheili had plunged into chaos due to the [[Covenant remnants|breaking of the Covenant]],<ref name="glass">'''Halo: Glasslands'''</ref> the conflict between them and the Jiralhanae would still rage by [[2559]]. Humanity, as well, would continue to face conflict both within and without, in the form of resurgent [[Insurrectionist]] movements as well as various hostile [[Covenant remnants]]. [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|These irregular conflicts]] later saw significant Forerunner involvement, both in terms of contention for Forerunner artifacts but also the reawakening of the Forerunner commander known as the [[Ur-Didact]] and his [[Promethean]] armies on [[Requiem]].


Months after the Didact's release, [[Cortana]], a human [[artificial intelligence]] who played a key role in the waning years of the Human-Covenant War, staged an AI [[Created|rebellion]] against the galaxy's organic species using a legion of Promethean warriors and a caste of Forerunner constructs known as [[Guardian Custode]]s. Using the latter, Cortana disabled most contemporary technologies across hundreds of colonies across the [[Orion Arm]], both human and alien, bringing the species under her aegis on pain of death.{{Ref/Level|Id=guardianslevel|Halo 5: Guardians|[[Guardians]]}}
Months after the Didact's release, [[Cortana]], a human [[artificial intelligence]] who played a key role in the waning years of the Human-Covenant War, staged an AI [[Created|rebellion]] against the galaxy's organic species using a legion of Promethean warriors and a caste of Forerunner constructs known as [[Guardian Custode]]s. Using the latter, Cortana disabled most contemporary technologies across hundreds of colonies across the Milky Way, both human and alien, bringing the species under her aegis on pain of death.


==Exploration==
==Exploration==
===UNSC===
===UNSC===
{{Main|Human colonies}}
{{Main|Human colonies}}
The development of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] in [[2291]] allowed humanity to leave the confines of its home star system for the first time and explore Earth's interstellar neighborhood, ushering in an age of rapid colonization and expansion. The first line of colony ships were unveiled in [[2310]], and over the next 28 years, the UNSC began [[terraforming]] and colonizing more than 210 worlds, which would become the [[Inner Colonies]]. Colonial expansion continued and by [[2490]], UNSC colonial space encompassed over 800 worlds, large and small, in the [[Orion Arm]]. The success of colonization of the [[Outer Colonies]] made the Inner Colonies the primary stronghold, both military and economic, though they relied heavily on raw materials supplied by the Outer Colonies. At the end of the [[Domus Diaspora|Golden Age of human expansion]] in the twilight of the 25th century, tensions between the Inner and Outer colonies culminated in hundreds of civil wars waged across the Outer Colonies, collectively termed as the [[Insurrection]].
[[File:Halo Star Map V2.png|300px|thumb|A near-accurate star map of several notable human-colonized systems.]]
The human colonization of space in the modern era began with the colonization of the [[Sol system|Solar System]] during the late 21st and early to mid-22nd centuries. During this time, [[Luna]], [[Mars]], the [[Jovian Moons]] and a number of [[asteroid]]s in the system were colonized by Earth's various [[national government]]s, under the direction of the [[United Nations]]. During [[2160]] - [[2170]], the Solar System was the site of several conflicts, the most prominent being the [[Interplanetary War]]. These conflicts also marked the beginning of the [[United Nations Space Command]].
 
The development of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] in 2291 allowed humanity to leave the confines of its home star system for the first time and explore Earth's interstellar neighborhood, ushering in an age of rapid colonization and expansion. The first line of colony ships were unveiled in [[2310]], and over the next 28 years, the UNSC began terraforming and colonizing more than 210 worlds, which would become the Inner Colonies. Colonial expansion continued and by [[2490]], UNSC colonial space encompassed over 800 worlds, large and small, in the [[Orion Arm]]. The success of colonization of the [[Outer Colonies]] made the Inner Colonies the primary stronghold, both military and economic, though they relied heavily on raw materials supplied by the Outer Colonies. At the end of the Golden Age of human expansion in the twilight of the 25th century, tensions between the Inner and Outer colonies culminated in hundreds of civil wars waged across the Outer Colonies, collectively termed as the [[Insurrection]].


In [[2525]], humanity made contact with the genocidal alien hegemony known as the [[Covenant]], bent on humanity's destruction. During the 27 years of conflict, hundreds of human colonies were destroyed and billions of civilians and military personnel were killed by the Covenant.
In [[2525]], humanity made contact with the genocidal alien hegemony known as the [[Covenant]], bent on humanity's destruction. During the 27 years of conflict, hundreds of human colonies were destroyed and billions of civilians and military personnel were killed by the Covenant.


===Covenant===
===Covenant===
{{Main|Covenant|Sangheili colonies}}
{{Main|Covenant}}
[[File:H5G - Milky Way.png|thumb|left|250px|A Covenant hologram of the Milky Way aboard ''[[Undiminished Entelechy]]''.]]
[[File:H5G - Milky Way.png|thumb|left|250px|A Covenant hologram of the Milky Way aboard ''[[Undiminished Entelechy]]''.]]
Because the Covenant have been spacefaring for over three millennia,{{Ref/Book|[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]|Page=30}} and possess far superior [[astrogation|slipstream navigation]] technology to humanity, they have explored a significantly larger portion of the galaxy than humanity has. Encompassing thousands of systems, the Covenant Empire was so expansive and complex that entire worlds and sub-domains could disappear from records for decades before contact resumed.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=52}} The Covenant dominated much of the galaxy but would leave a world untouched unless it had religious or practical importance.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Covenant|D=25|M=01|Y=2016}} The Covenant have discovered and explored several Forerunner [[shield world]]s as well as other Forerunner artifacts, from which they have acquired much of their advanced technology.
Because the Covenant have been spacefaring for over three millennia,<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 30''</ref> and possess far superior [[astrogation|slipstream navigation]] technology to humanity, they have explored a significantly larger portion of the galaxy than humanity has. Encompassing thousands of systems, the Covenant Empire was so expansive and complex that entire worlds and sub-domains could disappear from records for decades before contact resumed.<ref>''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 52</ref> The covenant dominated much of the galaxy but would leave a world untouched Unless it had religious or practical importance <ref> [[Halo Waypoint]]</ref> The Covenant have discovered and explored several Forerunner [[shield world]]s as well as other Forerunner artifacts, from which they have acquired much of their advanced technology.


The [[Human-Covenant War]] has devastated numerous human worlds, but at least two Covenant worlds, [[Joyous Exultation]] and [[Glyke]], were devastated by UNSC [[NOVA bomb]]s. Earlier on, both [[Taming of the Hunters|Te]] and [[Unggoy Rebellion|Balaho]], the Lekgolo and Unggoy homeworlds respectively, were almost [[glassing|glassed]] during the [[Covenant]]'s history.
The [[Human-Covenant War]] has devastated numerous human worlds, but at least two Covenant worlds, [[Joyous Exultation]] and [[Glyke]], were devastated by UNSC [[NOVA bomb]]s. Earlier on, both [[Taming of the Hunters|Te]] and [[Unggoy Rebellion|Balaho]], the Lekgolo and Unggoy homeworlds respectively, were almost [[glassed]] during the [[Covenant]]'s history.
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


===Forerunner===
===Forerunner===
{{Main|Forerunner}}
{{Main|Forerunner}}
The Forerunners, having been spacefaring for millions of years and possessing slipspace technology allowing them to cross galactic distances in a negligible time, had explored significant portions of the galaxy. Their [[ecumene]] encompassed three million fertile worlds,{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Cryptum|Page=9}} along with many artificial installations they had constructed. The Forerunners divided the galaxy into [[margin arc]]s and [[thema]]s, with the latter being defined by galactic-scale magnetic fields.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Silentium|Page=234-235}} They were also capable of traveling [[intergalactic space|outside the galaxy]], including an expedition to the [[Path Kethona|Large Magellanic Cloud]] and the construction of the [[Ark]]s hundreds of thousands of lightyears from the galaxy.{{Ref/Level|Id=arklevel|Halo 3|[[The Ark]]}}
The Forerunners, having been spacefaring for millions of years and possessing slipspace technology allowing them to cross galactic distances in a negligible time, had explored significant portions of the galaxy. Their [[ecumene]] encompassed three million fertile worlds,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 9''</ref> along with many artificial installations they had constructed. The Forerunners divided the galaxy into [[margin arc]]s and [[thema]]s, with the latter being defined by galactic-scale magnetic fields.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 234-235''</ref> They were also capable of traveling [[intergalactic space|outside the galaxy]], including an expedition to the [[Path Kethona|Large Magellanic Cloud]] and the construction of the [[Ark]]s hundreds of thousands of lightyears from the galaxy.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark]]''</ref>


==Production notes==
==Locations==
[[File:RW_SpitzerMilkyWay.jpg|thumb|The real-world NASA image from which the ''Halo 3'' Milky Way texture was based upon.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/mediaimages/sig/sig05-010.shtml|Site=NASA|Page=Milky Way Bar|D=19|M=7|Y=2006}}]]
[[File:Milky-Way-labeled.jpg|thumb|250px|An overview of the Milky Way galaxy with the major spiral arms and Sol's location labeled.]]
The Milky Way as seen in ''Halo 3'' and the cover art for ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' is depicted as a [[Wikipedia:Barred_spiral_galaxy|barred spiral galaxy]]. This is an accurate depiction of the Milky Way, with the knowledge available to [[Bungie]] during the game's development. To create the texture used to represent the Milky Way, Bungie used the then-latest data available; an artist's impression of the Milky Way produced by NASA in [[2005 (real world)|2005]] based on observations from the [[Wikipedia:Spitzer Space Telescope|Spitzer Space Telescope]].{{Ref/YouTube|Id=YTAccurate|ikSUgaG_zIA|Dr. Ryan Ridden|Is the Galaxy in Halo 3 Scientifically Accurate?|D=02|M=3|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Twitter|RyanRidden|1336005452048592909|Ryan Ridden|Quote=Hey @game_fabricator was the Milky Way we see in Halo 3 based on the NASA illustration for the Spitzer discovery of the Milky Way Bar?|D=02|M=3|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Twitter|game_fabricator|1336018120188678145|Marcus Lehto|Quote=Yes it was!|D=02|M=3|Y=2021}}
 
*[[wikipedia:Perseus Arm|'''Perseus Arm''']]
*[[wikipedia:Cygnus Arm|'''Norma Arm''']]
*[[wikipedia:Scutum-Centaurus Arm|'''Scutum-Centaurus Arm''']]
*[[Sagittarius Arm]]
 
===Orion Arm===
{{Main|Orion Arm}}
The Orion Arm is a minor spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy. Both the [[Human colonies|human sphere]] and the former [[Covenant Empire]] lie within the Orion Arm.<ref name="Warfleet"/> The [[Forerunner]] homeworld [[Ghibalb]], as well as the [[Orion complex]] which housed the galaxy-spanning Forerunner [[ecumene]]'s core worlds, are also located in this spiral arm, as well as the contemporary empires of other species, including [[prehistoric human civilization|humanity]] and the [[San'Shyuum]]. The Orion Arm was the setting for the [[Human-Covenant War]] of the 26th Century and the ancient [[Forerunner-Flood war]]. It is home to two of the Forerunners' [[Halo Array|Halo installations]], [[Installation 01|01]] and [[Installation 04|04]],<ref name="Warfleet"/> and a [[Portal at Voi|slipspace portal]] to [[Installation 00|the Ark]] on [[Earth]].
 
*[[Human colonies#List of known colonies|Human systems and worlds]] {{C|[[Prehistoric human civilization#Sphere of influence|prehistoric humans]]}}
*[[Covenant#Known Covenant worlds|Covenant systems and worlds]]
*[[Ecumene#Known regions, systems and worlds|Forerunner systems and worlds]]
{{Clear}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of the Milky Way}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of the Milky Way}}
*There are four engagements or conflicts known to have taken place outside the Milky Way in modern times. They are the [[Battle of Installation 00]], [[Operation: FAR STORM]], [[Attack on Installation 00]] and [[Second Ark Conflict]]. Two other cases of extragalactic conflict are known to have occurred in the distant past; the [[Battle of the greater Ark]] in the final days of the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] and the later stages of the [[Forerunner-Precursor war]] over ten million years earlier.
*The are four engagements or conflicts known to have taken place outside the Milky Way in modern times. They are the [[Battle of Installation 00]], [[Operation: FAR STORM]], [[Attack on Installation 00]] and [[Second Ark Conflict]]. Two other cases of extragalactic conflict are known to have occurred in the distant past; the [[Battle of the greater Ark]] in the final days of the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] and the later stages of the [[Forerunner-Precursor war]] over ten million years earlier.
*The Milky Way can be seen from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].
*The Milky Way can be seen from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].


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File:Galaxy map.jpg|The Milky Way as seen on [[Halo2.com]].
File:Galaxy map.jpg|The Milky Way as seen on [[Halo2.com]].
File:H3_Orbital_Galaxy.jpg|A view of the galaxy, as seen on the ''[[Halo 3]]'' map [[Orbital]].
File:H3_Orbital_Galaxy.jpg|A view of the galaxy, as seen on the ''[[Halo 3]]'' map [[Orbital]].
File:Hunters_in_the_Dark_full_cover.jpg|The Milky Way as viewed on the cover art for ''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''. Befitting of the novel's setting of the Ark, the cover reuses the ''Halo 3'' Milky Way texture to depict the galaxy.
File:H5G-Lasky&Roland.jpg|[[Roland]] and [[Thomas Lasky|Lasky]] examining the takeover of multiple systems by the [[Created]].
File:HWF - Galaxy map combined.jpg|A high-resolution copy of the ''Halo: Warfleet'' Milky Way artwork, not including the bottom portion.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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**''[[Petra]]''
**''[[Petra]]''
**''[[Tug o' War]]''
**''[[Tug o' War]]''
*''[[i love bees]]''
*''[[i love bees]]'' {{C|Partial Non-canonical appearance}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
**''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''
**''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''
Line 136: Line 126:
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
**''[[Bestiarum]]''
**''[[Bestiarum]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 3|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
Line 153: Line 143:
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
**''[[The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
Line 161: Line 151:
**''[[Human Weakness]]''
**''[[Human Weakness]]''
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]
**''[[Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
**''[[Soma the Painter]]''
**''[[Soma the Painter]]''
Line 188: Line 178:
*''[[Halo Living Monument]]''
*''[[Halo Living Monument]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Primordium]]''
*''[[Halo: Primordium]]''
*''[[The Commissioning]]''
*''[[The Commissioning]]''
Line 196: Line 186:
*''[[Scanned]]'' {{C|Partial Non-canonical appearance}}
*''[[Scanned]]'' {{C|Partial Non-canonical appearance}}
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 4|Terminals]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
**''[[Infinity Briefing Packet]]''
**''[[Infinity Briefing Packet]]''
*''[[Halo: Silentium]]''
*''[[Halo: Silentium]]''
*''[[Rebirth]]''
*''[[Halo: Rebirth]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
Line 208: Line 198:
*''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''
*''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal_(Halo_2:_Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
**''[[Halo: New Blood#2016 bonus content|Coda]]''
**''[[Halo: New Blood#2016 bonus content|Coda]]''
Line 224: Line 214:
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]''
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
<references/>


[[Category:Galaxies]]
[[Category:Galaxies]]

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