Voluminous clouds of cosmic dust permeate our galaxy, but only recently has software allowed detailed observations of the stuff at scale.

When we observe distant celestial objects, there is a possible catch: Is that star I am observing really as reddish as it appears? Or does the star merely look reddish, since its light has had to travel through a cloud of cosmic dust to reach our telescope?

Previous efforts to map the galaxy's dust were challenged by limited data, but the Gaia mission has provided a treasure trove of information.

BEIJING -- Chinese and foreign astronomers have unveiled the first three-dimensional map of the properties of interstellar dust in the Milky Way. This breakthrough will provide critical support for precise astronomical observation, and for studies in the areas of astrochemistry and galactic evolution.