NGC 1300, a well known barred spiral galaxy
Barred spiral galaxies are a type of galaxy similar to a spiral galaxy but possessing a central "bar" of bright stars near the core, to which the spiral arms are attached. Most spiral galaxies have bars, actually, but a "barred spiral" is usually used to refer to a galaxy with a more prominent bar. The creation of these bars is thought to be related to the same density wave that creates normal spiral arms.
Like normal spirals, barred spiral galaxies are subdivided from SBa to SBd based on how tightly wound they are.
Well-known barred spiral galaxies in our universe include NGC 1300 and the Milky Way (which appears to have a partial bar).
| Galactic Classes |
|---|
| E · S0 · SA · SB · SM · Irr dSph · dE · dIrr |