May 27, 2025
NGC 6872: One of the largest spiral galaxies in the known universe ©
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NGC 6872: One of the largest spiral galaxies in the known universe ©
The Condor Galaxy (NGC 6872, left) // Breno Silva
The Condor Galaxy (NGC 6872, right) and NGC 6876 (left) // Alex Woronow
The Condor Galaxy has the distinction of being the largest known spiral galaxy, stretching from tip to tip across 717,000 light years! For context, this is over 8 times the size of our galaxy!
The Condor Galaxy, NGC 6872 // Mirosław Stygar
a space Condor stretching its wings
by me
NGC-6872 - Stretched Spiral Galaxy
What makes this spiral galaxy so long? Measuring over 700,000 light years across from top to bottom, NGC 6872, also known as the Condor galaxy, is one of the most elongated barred spiral galaxies known. The galaxy's protracted shape likely results from its continuing collision with the smaller galaxy IC 4970, visible just above center. Of particular interest is NGC 6872's spiral arm on the upper left, as pictured here, which exhibits an unusually high amount of blue star forming regions. The light we see today left these colliding giants before the days of the dinosaurs, about 300 million years ago. NGC 6872 is visible with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Peacock (Pavo).