Image center holds the an oval of stars that mark the galaxy's center. Arms extend toward the upper-left and lower right of the central bulge of stars. Extending beyond the ends of each of these arms is are long curving tails that swirl above and below the galaxy.

Hubble Images the Barred Spiral Galaxy, NGC 1300

Astronomers classify galaxy NGC 1300 as a barred spiral because its arms do not swirl into the center but instead are connected to ends of a straight bar of stars that contains the nucleus.

Credits: NASA, ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA); acknowledgment: P. Knezek (WIYN)
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Image CreditNASA, ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA); acknowledgment: P. Knezek (WIYN)
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