A new study has suggested that Milky Way galaxy is much larger than previously estimated. During the study, scientists re-examined the data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and found that the Milky Way is about 50% larger than previously believed.

In a news release, Heidi Newberg, one of the researchers associated with the study, said that the disk of star of the Milky Way is not just a disk in a flat plane. According to Newberg, the disk is corrugated. The scientists have seen about four ripples in the disk of the Milky Way, Newberg added. Newberg said the data allowed the scientists to look at only one part of the galaxy, but the scientists believed that the pattern would be same throughout the disk.

The scientists also found that the previously identified rings are actually a part of the galactic disk. According to them, the new study has extended the width of the galaxy from 100,000 light-years across to 150,000 light-years. The scientists observed that apparent ring is actually a ripple in the disk. According to them, there could be several more ripples further out.

According to the reports, the scientists discovered four anomalies when they re-examined the data. One anomaly was to the north of the galactic plane, second to south of the galactic plane, a third to the north and the fourth one to the south. The scientists said that they found that the Monoceros Ring is associated with the third ripple. The study also supported theories like a dwarf galaxy or dark matter lump passing through the Milky Way would produce a similar rippling effect.

“It's very similar to what would happen if you throw a pebble into still water-the waves will radiate out from the point of impact”, said Heidi Newberg.