SpiralMap: A Python library of the Milky Way's spiral arms

TL;DR

SpiralMap is a Python library that provides detailed models and visualizations of the Milky Way's spiral arms, supporting various tracers and coordinate systems for astronomical research.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive Python package with multiple spiral arm models and visualization tools, facilitating galactic structure studies.

Findings

Includes 9 spiral arm models covering different tracers

Supports extraction and plotting in multiple coordinate systems

Allows addition of new models upon request

Abstract

We present a library of the major spiral arm models (and maps) of the Galaxy. The package is written in Python, and allows the user to both extract the 2D trace and overplot the spiral arms in Cartesian/Polar coordinates in both Heliocentric (HC) and Galactocentric (GC) frames. The current version is a compilation of 9 models (and maps) covering a range of tracers (stars, gas). Other models can also be added upon request.