From the April 2009 issue

How do the bars in barred spirals form?

Terry Burke, Marquette, Nebraska
By | Published: April 27, 2009 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • NGC 1300 is classified as a barred spiral galaxy.
  • The article describes the formation of galactic bars.
  • Galactic bars are attributed to the transition of stars from circular to elliptical orbits around a galaxy's core.
  • The source references NASA/Hubble/STScI/AURA imagery of NGC 1300.
Key takeaways sponsored by The Space Store
NGC 1300
NGC 1300 is a barred spiral galaxy.
NASA/Hubble/STScI/AURA

Galactic bars form when stars in circular orbits around a galaxy’s center start to stretch out into more oval, or elliptical, trajectories.

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