List of largest galaxies
This is a list of largest galaxies known, sorted by order of increasing major axis diameters. The unit of measurement used is the light-year (approximately 9.46×1012 kilometers).

Overview

Galaxies are vast collections of stars, planets, nebulae and other objects that are surrounded by an interstellar medium and held together by gravity. They do not have a definite boundary by nature, and are characterized with gradually decreasing stellar density as a function of increasing distance from its center. Because of this, measuring the sizes of galaxies can often be difficult and have a wide range of results depending on the sensitivity of the detection equipment and the methodology being used. Some galaxies emit more strongly in wavelengths outside the visible spectrum, depending on its stellar population, whose stars may emit more strongly in other wavelengths that are beyond the detection range. It is also important to consider the morphology of the galaxy when attempting to measure its size - an issue that has been raised by the Russian astrophysicist B.A. Vorontsov-Vel'Yaminov in 1961, which considers separate determination methods in measuring the sizes of spiral and elliptical galaxies.[2]
For a full context about how the diameters of galaxies are measured, including the estimation methods stated in this list, see section Galaxy#Physical diameters.
List
Listed below are galaxies with diameters greater than 500,000 light-years. This list uses the mean cosmological parameters of the Lambda-CDM model based on results from the 2015 Planck collaboration, where H0 = 67.74 km/s/Mpc, ΩΛ = 0.6911, and Ωm = 0.3089.[3] Due to different techniques, each figure listed on the galaxies has varying degrees of confidence in them. The reference to those sizes plus further additional details can be accessed by clicking the link for NED on the right-hand side of the table.
Galaxy name/designation | Major axis diameter (in light-years) | Minor axis diameter (in light years) | Morphology | Estimation method |
Link for object |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESO 383-76 (ESO 383-G 076)[lower-alpha 1] | 1,764,000 | 882,100 | cD5; E5; BrClG | 90% total B-light | NED |
ESO 409-25 (ESO 409-G 025)[lower-alpha 1] | 1,454,000 | 901,700 | cD4; E4; BrClG | 90% total B-light | NED |
ESO 248-6 (ESO 248-G 006) | 1,335,000 | 641,000 | S0?; BrClG | 90% total B-light | NED |
2MASX J14102504+6337103 | 1,134,000 | 1,134,000 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 151-41 (ESO 151-G 041) | 1,132,000 | 453,000 | Sc | 90% total B-light | NED |
MCG-04-02-013[lower-alpha 1] | 1,115,000 | 1,115,000 | E | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 1576 BCG | 1,077,000 | 517,200 | cD db | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 306-17 (ESO 306-G 017) | 1,070,000 | 706,100 | cD3; E3 | 90% total B-light | NED |
ESO 350-15 (ESO 350-G 015) | 1,043,000 | 521,600 | cD3; E3 | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1146 BCG | 1,009,000 | 767,100 | E | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 747 BCG | 995,300 | 437,900 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 473-5 (ESO 473-G 005) | 944,600 | 632,900 | Sc; BrClG | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1942 BCG | 939,200 | 638,700 | BrClG; AGN | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1654342 | 916,400 | 623,100 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 384 BCG | 913,900 | 274,200 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 697 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 885,200 | 637,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1437B BCG | 868,300 | 538,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 443-11 (ESO 443-G 011) | 866,500 | 407,300 | cD; SAB00 pec; BrClG | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
4C +41.26 | 862,300 | 724,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 963 BCG | 841,200 | 605,700 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 541-13 (ESO 541-G 013) | 840,700 | 655,700 | cD; E3 pec | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1602 BCG | 822,000 | 575,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
NGC 623 | 803,900 | 611,000 | cD; E | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
PGC 6616 | 803,800 | 401,900 | E | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 1413 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 801,400 | 256,400 | cD; E; BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
ESO 291-9 (ESO 291-G 009) | 795,100 | 461,200 | cD4; SA0−;BrClG | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1504 BCG | 790,200 | 458,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1816387 | 782,500 | 336,500 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 812 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 772,900 | 541,000 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
7C 1043+5953 | 771,000 | 400,900 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1785B BCG | 769,800 | 508,100 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 2463193 | 769,500 | 769,500 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 781 b | 766,500 | 337,300 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 655 BCG | 760,000 | 577,600 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
NGC 4038[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 1] | 752,000 | 541,400 | SB(s)m pec | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 908 BCG | 750,200 | 555,100 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2061 b[lower-alpha 1] | 747,700 | 583,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 198-1 (ESO 198-G 001) | 741,600 | 563,600 | cD4; E4 | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
3C 295 | 738,000 | 738,000 | E/S0;LEG;BrClG NLRG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 267 BCG | 736,700 | 302,000 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 1758N BCG | 731,500 | 321,900 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 360 BCG | 727,700 | 363,900 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 251-21 (ESO 251-G 021) | 727,700 | 458,400 | SAB0- pec; E/S0 | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1807 BCG | 720,200 | 475,300 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
NGC 6872 | 717,000 | 143,400 | SAB(rs)c | 25.5 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 2125 BCG | 715,200 | 515,200 | E[lower-alpha 4] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
B3 1715+425 | 715,200 | 472,000 | BrClG; AGN[lower-alpha 5] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2219 BCG | 713,400 | 385,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 552-20 (ESO 552-G 020)[lower-alpha 1] | 710,000 | 411,800 | cD; E | 90% total B-light | NED |
ESO 11-4 (ESO 011-G 004) | 707,400 | 488,100 | cD4; E4 pec | 90% total B-light | NED |
IC 1633[lower-alpha 1] | 705,700 | 543,400 | cD; E1 | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 2262657 | 704,000 | 521,000 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
NGC 1759 | 702,800 | 632,500 | cD; E | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 1869814 | 702,100 | 463,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 242 BCG | 699,900 | 287,000 | cD; db | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1553 BCG | 696,700 | 236,900 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 2175 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 693,600 | 416,100 | cD; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1633 BCG B | 691,700 | 421,900 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
IC 4329[lower-alpha 1] | 689,900 | 386,300 | SAB(s)0-;cD; Sy1 | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 2244 BCG | 687,200 | 577,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
OGC 596 | 684,700 | 287,600 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
2MASS J14342214-0232472 | 676,600 | 399,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 444-46 (ESO 444-G 046)[lower-alpha 1] | 670,700 | 382,300 | cD4; E4; BrClG | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 2388764 | 668,900 | 481,600 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 227 BCG | 667,400 | 493,900 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 351-21 (ESO 351-G 021) | 664,600 | 584,900 | SA0- | 90% total B-light | NED |
NGC 1668 | 660,100 | 435,700 | SA0−; D/cD | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 980 BCG | 658,500 | 342,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
2MASX J06583806-5557256 | 658,300 | 408,200 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 253-27 (ESO 253-G 027)[lower-alpha 1] | 658,200 | 447,600 | cD3; E3 | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 38 BCG | 658,200 | 368,600 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1127620 | 657,400 | 552,200 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
MACS J0257.6-2209 BCG | 656,200 | 446,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1694905 | 656,100 | 472,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1769306 | 655,800 | 524,700 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 488-27 (ESO 488-G 027)[lower-alpha 1] | 654,300 | 536,500 | cD; E1 | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 635 BCG | 652,900 | 470,100 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 209 BCG | 652,500 | 365,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1835765 | 652,100 | 260,900 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2228 BCM[lower-alpha 1] | 650,600 | 495,700 | BrClG; cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 690 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 647,800 | 492,300 | cD; BrClG; WLRG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
IC 5353[lower-alpha 1] | 647,600 | 524,600 | cD; S0− | 26.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 2637071 | 643,000 | 347,200 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 488-15 (ESO 488-G 015)[lower-alpha 1] | 642,900 | 501,500 | E | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1925 BCG | 642,900 | 424,300 | BrClG; AGN | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 349-10 (ESO 349-G 010) | 642,200 | 398,200 | cD4; E4; BrClG | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1548 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 640,200 | 563,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2025 BCG | 637,500 | 522,800 | D/cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1835 BCG[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 1] | 637,100 | 471,500 | cD; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1277 BCG | 636,800 | 471,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1864A BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 634,800 | 400,300 | cD; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1933247 | 634,600 | 342,700 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 122 BCG | 633,800 | 557,800 | cD; E | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
UGC 2438[lower-alpha 1] | 633,100 | 367,200 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 2628046 | 632,800 | 379,700 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2111 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 627,300 | 414,100 | E; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
MCG +05-33-033[lower-alpha 1] | 627,200 | 489,200 | cD; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1650 BCG | 626,100 | 231,600 | cD; BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
OGC 79 | 623,700 | 324,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 2197890 | 619,900 | 520,700 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 907 BCG | 618,700 | 457,800 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 523-178 | 618,100 | 445,000 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
PGC 58708 | 617,300 | 543,200 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1183804 | 616,500 | 468,600 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
SDSSCGB 01756.01 | 613,400 | 282,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2187 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 613,400 | 245,300 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
ESO 539-11 (ESO 539-G 011) | 613,300 | 361,800 | S0 | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 2034 BCG | 612,200 | 238,700 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 140200[lower-alpha 1] | 610,700 | 415,500 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 123 BCG | 610,400 | 415,100 | D/cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 33-3 (ESO 033-G 003) | 607,800 | 370,800 | E4 | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1068 BCG | 607,400 | 243,000 | cD; Sy2 | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
ESO 307-13 (ESO 307-G 013) | 607,400 | 406,900 | cD3; E3; BrClG | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 586 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 606,700 | 351,900 | E; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 482-21 (ESO 482-G 021) | 604,400 | 344,500 | S0 | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 1047 G1[lower-alpha 1] | 602,600 | 518,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 86-62 (ESO 086-G 062) | 602,300 | 373,400 | cD4; E4 | 90% total B-light | NED |
WISEA J005939.38-181807.5 | 602,100 | 457,600 | SB(s)a pec | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
WISEA J085404.52+290312.7[lower-alpha 1] | 601,600 | 433,200 | S0; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
MCG+10-19-068 | 601,500 | 445,100 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 315-5200[lower-alpha 1] | 600,800 | 324,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 140 BCG | 600,400 | 408,200 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2218 G1 | 600,200 | 126,000 | cD; E | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 3880 BCG | 597,800 | 143,500 | cD3; E3; BrClG | 25.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 1918B BCG | 596,500 | 334,000 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 370 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 595,700 | 595,700 | E; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
2MASX J03032123+0155344 | 595,600 | 345,500 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 971 BCG | 595,400 | 404,900 | cD; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 488-13 (ESO 488-G 013)[lower-alpha 1] | 595,300 | 375,000 | SA(r)0+ | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 1369756 | 592,500 | 391,100 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1132 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 592,500 | 509,500 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
IC 5358[lower-alpha 1] | 592,000 | 272,300 | cD4; E4 pec | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 2009 BCG | 591,800 | 284,100 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1045 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 590,900 | 307,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1587 BCG | 590,900 | 248,200 | BrClG; Sy1 | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2082-01[lower-alpha 1] | 590,200 | 460,400 | E; BrClG; AGN | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 705 BCG | 590,200 | 507,600 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1027B BCG | 590,000 | 413,000 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1911A BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 589,000 | 388,800 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1808A BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 588,700 | 376,800 | cD; BrClG; AGN | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2187 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 589,400 | 405,000 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell S78 BCG | 589,000 | 524,200 | S0 | 90% total B-light | NED |
LEDA 1818176[lower-alpha 1] | 587,800 | 470,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1964 North | 578,700 | 277,800 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2236 BCM | 578,600 | 381,900 | cD; m | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
PGC 41687 | 576,300 | 461,000 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 359 BCG | 575,900 | 299,500 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 146-28 (ESO 146-G 028) | 574,800 | 396,600 | cD3; E3 | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 2669504 | 582,900 | 239,000 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
ESO 161-8 (ESO 161-G 008) | 574,000 | 287,000 | cD5; E5; BrClG | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 2292 BCG | 569,500 | 398,700 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
OGC 58 | 565,700 | 294,200 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 139714 | 561,500 | 185,300 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 2003262 | 561,300 | 437,800 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 306-4 (ESO 306-G 004) | 560,300 | 280,100 | cD4; E4 pec | 90% total B-light | NED |
MCG +10-19-096[lower-alpha 1] | 560,200 | 425,800 | cD; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 521 BCG | 560,100 | 291,300 | Early-type[lower-alpha 6] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Tadpole Galaxy | 558,400 | 111,700 | SB(s)c pec | 25.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 2345 BCG | 558,200 | 357,200 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1246 G1 | 557,900 | 234,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 223B BCG | 556,500 | 556,500 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1633 BCG A | 556,300 | 255,900 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
MCG +05-34-070 | 555,800 | 400,200 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
IC 1101[lower-alpha 1] | 553,200 | 449,700 | cD; S0- | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 424-1 (ESO 424-G 001) | 551,500 | 402,600 | cD4; E4 pec | 90% total B-light | NED |
2MASX J09420304+0857189 | 550,500 | 192,700 | ~[lower-alpha 7] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1149787 | 549,000 | 384,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1837 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 548,400 | 383,900 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 394 BCG | 548,100 | 350,800 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 279A BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 547,600 | 427,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
2MASX J15123776+3451351 | 547,400 | 383,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
WISEA J222418.56-551451.7 | 546,500 | 393,500 | cD3; E3 | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1583 G1 | 545,400 | 272,700 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell S968A BCG | 545,300 | 196,300 | cD5; E5 pec | 25.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 1483121[lower-alpha 1] | 545,200 | 327,100 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
UGC 8738[lower-alpha 1] | 544,900 | 305,200 | S0-?; BrClG; BL Lac | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 349-1 (ESO 349-G 001) | 544,900 | 403,200 | cD1; E1 | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 2261 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 544,600 | 533,800 | cD; E | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
ESO 118-6 (ESO 118-IG 006)[lower-alpha 1] | 544,400 | 310,300 | cD4; E4 | 26.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 2097228 | 543,600 | 424,000 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
NGC 77 | 543,400 | 527,100 | SA0- | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 329 BCG | 542,400 | 314,600 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 750 G1 | 541,300 | 281,500 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
NGC 7012 | 541,100 | 330,100 | cD4; E4 pec | 90% total B-light | NED |
Abell 415 BCG | 540,600 | 508,200 | S0 | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 773 D2[lower-alpha 1] | 540,300 | 398,600 | cD; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
B2 1003+26[lower-alpha 1] | 539,800 | 431,900 | E; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 2155337 | 539,700 | 367,000 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 983-4822[lower-alpha 1] | 539,600 | 453,300 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
2MASX J16573834+7703462 | 539,500 | 248,100 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1860126 | 536,300 | 504,100 | E; BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
LEDA 2623325 | 531,200 | 302,800 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
2MASX J11591490+4947480 | 529,100 | 291,000 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 1795 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 529,100 | 465,600 | cD; S0?; LINER; Sy3 | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
B2 1527+30[lower-alpha 1] | 528,300 | 359,300 | E | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1232 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 527,500 | 411,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
IC 4252[lower-alpha 1] | 526,700 | 331,800 | SA(rs)0-: ;BrClG | 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 1382 BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 525,000 | 346,500 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1165 BCG | 524,000 | 324,900 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
2MASX J13260058+1222439 | 523,700 | 366,600 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 2294 BCG | 523,100 | 439,400 | cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1166681 | 520,900 | 328,200 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1654 BCG | 520,700 | 427,000 | BrClG; cD | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
OGC 81 | 520,000 | 265,200 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 208A BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 519,600 | 426,100 | E; BrClG, AGN | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 715 BCG | 515,400 | 484,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 184952[lower-alpha 1] | 512,400 | 389,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1988A BCG[lower-alpha 1] | 512,300 | 358,600 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 97407 | 511,000 | 367,900 | BrClG; AGN | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 3273302 | 509,800 | 331,400 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1013135 | 509,300 | 325,900 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
UGC 9589 | 505,800 | 126,500 | SB | Intermed. surface brightness | NED |
LEDA 1374261 | 505,200 | 262,700 | BrClG | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Abell 1920 BCG | 505,100 | 353,600 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
LEDA 1267717[lower-alpha 1] | 504,000 | 352,800 | ~[lower-alpha 2] | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
UGC 10012[lower-alpha 1] | 503,000 | 392,400 | cD; E; BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 1351 BCG | 502,400 | 445,000 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Abell 667 BCG | 502,400 | 341,600 | BrClG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Listed below are some notable galaxies under 500,000 light-years in diameter, for the purpose of comparison. All links to NED are available, except for the Milky Way, which is linked to the relevant paper detailing its size.
Galaxy name/designation | Major axis diameter (in light-years) | Minor axis diameter (in light years) | Morphology | Estimation method |
Link for object |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hercules A | 459,800 | 285,100 | E; WLRG; NLRG | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
UGC 2885 (Rubin's Galaxy)[lower-alpha 1] | 438,100 | 201,500 | SA(rs)c | 25.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
NGC 1399[lower-alpha 1] | 412,300 | 379,300 | cD; E1 pec | 90% total B-light | NED |
NeVe 1 | 332,100 | 239,100 | cD; E | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Alcyoneus (galaxy) | 242,900[lower-alpha 8] | 155,400 | E | 25.0 r-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Andromeda Galaxy | 152,300 | 152,300 | SA(s)b | 25.0 mag/arcsec2 | NED |
Messier 87[lower-alpha 1] | 118,800[lower-alpha 9] | 93,870 | cD; E0-E1 pec; NLRG; Sy | 25.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | NED |
Malin 1 | 118,700[lower-alpha 10] | 118,700 | S; LSB | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
NGC 262[lower-alpha 1] | 101,100 | 78,860 | SA(s)0/a; Sy2 | 2MASS K-band total mag | NED |
Milky Way | 87,400 ± 3,590 | 87,400 ± 3,590 | Sb; Sbc; SB(rs)bc | 25.0 B-mag arcsec−2 | [4][5] |
See also
Notes
- The physical diameters given by NED for this object are based on the mean of one or more redshift-independent distance techniques, which are subject to errors and sensitivity to extreme values. The diameters given for this object in this list was based on NED's provided scale "Virgo + GA + Shapley" multiplied with the values for the angular diameter of the cited estimation method.
- Morphology unlisted; images show an elliptical galaxy.
- The larger galaxy in the Antennae Galaxies pair.
- Starburst galaxy
- A blazar.
- This classification does not mean an earlier age or stage of evolution of a galaxy. "Early-type" in this case refers to its position in the Hubble tuning fork (where E and S0 galaxies are early-type) due to the erroneous interpretation that elliptical galaxies evolve into spiral galaxies. The term has stuck ever since.
- Morphology unlisted; irresolvable in available images
- Major axis refers to the visible stellar axis of the host galaxy. Radio lobes are 15 million light-years across, though not considered a part of the main galaxy.
- This is the diameter as measured through the 25.0 mag/arcsec−2 isophote at the B-band. The diffuse stellar halo of this galaxy extends up to 300 kiloparsecs (980,000 light-years) across.
- This is the diameter measured through the quoted estimation method. This galaxy has an immense, diffuse low-surface brightness spiral extending up to 200 kiloparsecs (650,000 light-years) across.
References
- "Your NED Search Results". ned.ipac.caltech.edu.
- Vorontsov-Vel'Yaminov, B. A. (1961). "The Comparison of Galaxy Diameters". Soviet Astronomy. 4: 735. Bibcode:1961SvA.....4..735V.
- Ade, P. A. R.; et al. (2016). "Planck2015 results". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 594: A13. arXiv:1502.01589. Bibcode:2016A&A...594A..13P. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201525830. S2CID 119262962.
- Goodwin, S. P.; Gribbin, J.; Hendry, M. A. (22 April 1997). "The Milky Way is just an average spiral". arXiv:astro-ph/9704216.
- Goodwin, S. P.; Gribbin, J.; Hendry, M. A. (August 1998). "The relative size of the Milky Way". The Observatory. 118: 201–208. Bibcode:1998Obs...118..201G.