It scans the center of our galaxy and the entire galactic plane.

This difference of color also is the same on the two sides of the galactic plane.

Thus it was hoped to acquire powers of insight and of creativity impossible on the merely galactic plane.

Of particular note are the huge streamers of cold dust that reach thousands of light-years above and below the galactic plane.

The ship was in a long, obscure orbit, high above the galactic plane, tens of thousands of light-years from any feasible destination.