Types of Galaxies: A Complete Guide

Tap a galaxy type to see its defining features.

Spiral Galaxy

Arm-like spiral structures wind around a central bulge; our own Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy are both classic spiral galaxies.

Elliptical Galaxy

A round or oval mass with no distinct structure, made up mostly of older stars, with very little new star formation.

Irregular Galaxy

A galaxy with no clear symmetrical structure, often shaped by collisions or gravitational interactions with other galaxies.

Lenticular Galaxy

A form between spiral and elliptical galaxies — it has a disk structure but no spiral arms.

Dwarf Galaxy

A much smaller galaxy with relatively few stars, often orbiting a larger galaxy like a satellite.

What Shape Is Our Own Galaxy?

The Milky Way, home to our solar system, is a classic spiral galaxy roughly 100,000 light-years across. The universe is estimated to contain hundreds of billions of galaxies like it or more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do galaxies end up with different shapes?

Many factors are believed to shape a galaxy's final form, including how it formed, its rotation speed, and whether it has collided with other galaxies.

Will the Milky Way keep its current shape forever?

No — in roughly 4 billion years it is predicted to collide and merge with the neighboring Andromeda Galaxy, forming an entirely new galaxy shape.