Expert: Ed - 1/17/2012

Question
I am writing a series of science fiction novels. I want pretty accurate locations of certain star systems/nebula(crab)in the Persius arm, the spur(Orion Spur)connecting the 2 arms(Orion). I have tried doing a search but nothing concrete to follow. I would love to get a map of the milky way with some locations n distances from Sun. I have the basics with basics maps.

Thx

Answer
hello,
This book is a little old now, but I still like it:
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Galaxy-Nigel-Henbest/dp/052145882X

You could get it for about five dollars, (including shipping and handling), if you get it used from one of Amazon.com's affiliated sellers.  Or, try interlibrary loan, through your local library.

Chapters 4 and 5 are about the Perseus Arm and the Orion Arm.

Do you know about SIMBAD?  It could help you flesh out some elements of your project, once you know what to search for.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIMBAD
http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/

I hope this gets you started.  Let me know if I can help more.  

Keep Looking Up!
-Ed