Barred spiral galaxy
NGC 253, a barred spiral starburst gallery (2MASS).
A barred spiral galaxy is a spiral galaxy with a band of bright stars emerging from the center and running across the middle of the galaxy. Spiral arms appear to emerge from the ends of the "bar" in these galaxies, whereas they appear to emerge directly from the core in ordinary spiral galaxies.
The Milky Way may be a barred spiral galaxy, though this is not certain.
Categories: Astronomy stubs | Barred spiral galaxies