THE REALITY

This is the classic representation of our galaxy, the "Milky Way", a large spiral galaxy. Note the direction of the "Polar Axis".

To obtain the representation of our galaxy as simulated in Frontier you must, first, UPSET the classic image,

then you must rotate the galaxy image about 125° anticlockwise. Only in this way the "Polar Axis" is correctly oriented, according to the coordinate system used in Frontier.

THE SIMULATION

This image represents how the "Milky Way" is simulated in Frontier. Used in the classic mode (i.e. galaxy viewed from above) this image could be right, however this representation is inaccurate, because in this image the real "Polar Axis" isn't oriented according to the coordinate method used in Frontier.

Instead, in Frontier our galaxy is viewed from below its center. Unusual, but is not a problem after all. The real problem is the orientation of the spiral arms, that should be anticlockwise.

To conclude, this is how the "Milky Way" is simulated in Frontier,

and this is how should be simulated. Note the anticlokwise orientation of the spiral arms and the correct position of their names.

Final considerations: After all, the inaccuracy in the orientation of the spiral arms isn't so relevant for the game. It's important only from the point of view of the accurate realism of the simulation. Anyway, I hope that in "Elite IV" David Braben chooses the classic model of the galaxy, that is the "Milky Way" seen from above its center. In this way, the whole astronomy project in the Frontier universe could reach near perfection.