HOW BIG
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Galaxies

Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300: size, dimension and comparison

The adopted reference is about 110,000 light-years.

reference disc extent ≈ 110 000 ly

A light-year is a distance: how far light travels in one year. It is used for distances between stars.

Two large arms extend from a central bar.

Explore at this scale
Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300, interpreted illustration
Interpreted illustration · dimension stated in the fact sheet.
How Big — generated illustration; NASA/ESA documentation.

What does this number measure?

ESA's CESAR educational guide describes a galaxy spanning about 110 000 ly. The reference is the galactic disc, not the small spiral in its nucleus or its distance from Earth.

Compare the stated dimensions

The comparison uses the number in each fact sheet: altitude, height, diameter, length or distance, depending on the reference. Two values in metres do not necessarily describe the same property.

Compare with Elliptical galaxy M87 in the explorer →

Source and limitations

Rounded documentary extent. Boundaries are diffuse and depend on the observations and convention used; this is not a distance from Earth.

Detailed interpreted astronomical illustration, not a photograph. Central stellar bar, arms emerging from its ends and dust lanes inspired by Hubble descriptions of NGC 1300. The dimension calibrates the horizontal extent of the interpreted galactic disc, excluding nearly transparent pixels. Diffuse boundaries and colours are interpreted.

Illustration sources

How Big — generated illustration; NASA/ESA documentation.

Source coverage: Visual interpretation; colours and texture do not constitute an observation. Only the designated extent follows the catalogue's reference value.