Galaxy Zoo Starburst Talk

Is that a spiral galaxy?

  • Sasha11 by Sasha11

    Hello everybody! I have problems classifying this picture. I would consider it spiral, but there is no spiral pattern. What would be the best description for it? Thanks in advance!

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  • JeanTate by JeanTate

    It's almost certainly a spiral galaxy (I can see at least one arm, albeit very indistinctly).

    The more general class of galaxies that 'spirals' belong to is 'disk galaxies'. These are 'disk shaped', as the name suggests. They often - but not always - have a central bulge, which is like a ball (often yellow). Except when disrupted - e.g. in a merger - spiral arms are within the disk of such galaxies. Disk galaxies often have bars - as this one does - and sometimes rings, which are like arms which wrap all the way round.

    Hope that helps!

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