NASA Reveals Composite Image of Largest Known Spiral Galaxy in the Universe; How Gigantic Is This Star System?

NASA has revealed a spectacular composite image of the largest known spiral galaxy in the universe, NGC 6872 or Condor Galaxy.

Composite Image of Largest Known Spiral Galaxy in the Universe

According to Gizmodo, three observatories collaborated in order to come up with this composite image. The three participating observatories were NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile, and the Galaxy Evolution Explorer. The shot combines various wavelengths of light captured by the three.

The galaxy's elongated form is thought to be due to its closeness to its galaxy neighbor, IC 4970. Though this neighbor is only around 20% of the Condor Galaxy's massive size, it is thought to have given NGC 6872 its distinct form through the exertion of enough gravitational tidal pressures.

How Gigantic Is the Condor Galaxy?

In 2013, NGC 6872 was declared the largest known galaxy in the universe. According to the Space Academy, it has a width of around 522,000 light years, while the Milky Way has a width of around 100,000 light years.

Located around 212 million light years away from earth, the Condor galaxy can be seen in the southern skies. It may appear to be part of the Pavo constellation.

While it has always been thought to be part of the largest discovered star systems across the universe, NASA officially declared it the largest known galaxy in 2013.

As Cosmos Magazine reported, aside from being a massive galactic structure, the structure of NGC 6872 is very different from that of the Milky Way. This huge galaxy is known to be a spiral galaxy that has two bars that emanate from both sides. These bars are tipped with continuous and smooth arms. Such qualities make the Condor galaxy a SBb galaxy.

Spiral Galaxies

Generally, spiral galaxies are categorized as Sa/SBa, Sb/SBb, or Sc/SBc. Such a classification is based on their spiral tightness, spiral arm clumpiness, and central bulge size. Such variances can be attributed to relative dust and gas amounts kept inside the galaxies.

Moreover, according to the American Museum of Natural History, there are three visible parts of spiral galaxies. These are namely a thin disk made of dust, gas, and stars, a sphere-shaped halo of huge star clusters and the oldest stars, and a central bulge comprising older stars. This type of galaxy's signature feature is its spiral shape within its disk.

However, according to SciTechDaily, the classification of these spiral galaxies is not always straightforward. This is because their appearance tends to change. Such changes largely depend on their orientation. Spiral galaxies that are the most visually spectacular are face-on ones, which means that their spiral arms and bulge are clearly seen. However, side-on ones are hard to pinpoint. These side-on spiral galaxies are those with only one outer edge visible.

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