The processes that drive the formation of giant molecular clouds (GMCs), their evolution and star formation are thought to occur primarily in spiral arms. To understand our own Galaxy\u2019s star formation, the broader perspective offered by nearby galaxies with different global spiral structure is very valuable. Expansion of (sub)millimetre capabilities to high angular resolution offered with interferometers allows to resolve GMCs in nearby galaxies. Over the next decade, observations with even higher angular resolution and sensitivity will enable sampling of smaller scales at larger distances. This enables us to place the Milky Way in the context of other galaxies. The goal of the PERSEUS project was to produce the first map of the Milky Way\u2019s Perseus spiral arm in the Outer Galaxy from the perspective of an external observer with the same spatial resolution along the whole spiral arm. From this map a uniform GMC sample can be extracted to derive their physical conditions including their star-forming content. These spiral arm data cubes and the distance-calibrated cloud catalogue will be extremely valuable for future comparison with Galactic and extragalactic GMCs<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The processes that drive the formation of giant molecular clouds (GMCs), their evolution and star formation are thought to occur primarily in spiral arms. To understand our own Galaxy\u2019s star formation, the broader perspective offered by nearby galaxies with different global spiral structure is very valuable. Expansion of (sub)millimetre capabilities to high angular resolution offered … <\/p>\n