Quantitative classification of the Galaxy from new data on the photometric properties of its spheroidal and disk components

After a brief review of previous attempts at identifying the morphological type of our Galaxy by optical or radio methods, a new approach from surface photometry is described. A two-component model consisting of an Rsup(1/4) spheriod and an exponential disk is fit to the local galactic disk brightness inferred from star counts and to new observations of the brightness distribution in the bulge along the galactic prime meridian. All parameters are in close quantitative agreement with corresponding quantities for Sbc II galaxies and confirm the AB(rs) morphology first proposed in 1963. (Auth.)