Cosmic Scale
Condor Galaxy
Barred spiral galaxy (NGC 6872) · 212 million light-years
How big is Condor Galaxy?
Condor Galaxy is about 522,000 light-years across.
See Condor Galaxy in 3D, at true scale
The Condor Galaxy, NGC 6872, is one of the largest spiral galaxies known. A smaller galaxy passed through it about 130 million years ago and stretched its arms out to over half a million light-years.
At a glance
| Diameter | 522,000 light-years |
|---|---|
| Diameter compared with Earth | 3.9 × 10¹⁴ × Earth |
| Distance | 212 million light-years |
| Size | Estimates 522,000–717,000 light-years |
| Companion | IC 4970 |
| Constellation | Pavo |
Good to know
- Its outer arms are full of young stars born from the encounter.
- It was named the Condor for its outstretched arms, like wings.
- It is about five times as wide as the Milky Way.
- Next smaller: Andromeda Galaxy · 152,000 light-years
- Next larger: Malin 1 · 650,000 light-years