barred spiral galaxy
spiral galaxy with a central bar-shaped structure composed of stars
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NGC 1300, viewed nearly face-on; Hubble Space Telescope image
A barred spiral galaxy is a spiral galaxy with a central bar-shaped structure composed of stars. Bars are found in about two thirds of all spiral galaxies in the local universe, and generally affect both the motions of stars and interstellar gas within spiral galaxies and can affect spiral arms as well. The Milky Way Galaxy, where the Solar System is located, is classified as a barred spiral galaxy.