Spiral arms are regions of stars that extend from the center of spiral and barred spiral galaxies. These long, thin regions resemble a spiral and are sites of active star formation, containing young, hot, blue stars and large clouds of gas and dust.
The Orion Spur is a minor spiral arm of the Milky Way between the Sagittarius and Perseus arms. Our Solar System is located within this spur, also known as the Local Arm.