List of galaxies

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Template:Short description Template:Hatnote Template:Use dmy dates

Size (left) and distance (right) of a few well-known galaxies put to scale

There are an estimated 100 billion galaxies in all of the observable universe.<ref>How Many Galaxies Are There? Astronomers Are Revealing the Enormity of the Universe</ref> On the order of 100,000 galaxies make up the Local Supercluster, and about 51 galaxies are in the Local Group (see list of nearest galaxies for a complete list).

The first attempts at systematic catalogues of galaxies were made in the 1960s, with the Catalogue of Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies listing 29,418 galaxies and galaxy clusters, and with the Morphological Catalogue of Galaxies, a putatively complete list of galaxies with photographic magnitude above 15, listing 30,642. In the 1980s, the Lyons Groups of Galaxies listed 485 galaxy groups with 3,933 member galaxies. Galaxy Zoo is a project aiming at a more comprehensive list: launched in July 2007, it has classified over one million galaxy images from The Sloan Digital Sky Survey, The Hubble Space Telescope and the Cosmic Assembly Near-Infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey.<ref name="GZ_numbers">Template:Cite journal</ref>

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Named galaxies

Template:More citations needed section This is a list of galaxies that are well known by something other than an entry in a catalog or list, or a set of coordinates, or a systematic designation.

Image Galaxy Constellation Origin of name Notes
False-colour image showing Alcyoneus with LOFAR radio data at 144 MHz (orange) and WISE infrared data at 3.4 micron (blue) overlaid.
Alcyoneus Lynx A low-exitation, Fanaroff and Riley Class II radio galaxy, one of the largest discovered.
Andromeda I Andromeda Andromeda I was named because the galaxy is in the constellation Andromeda Andromeda I is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) about 2.40 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda. Andromeda I is part of the local group of galaxies and a satellite galaxy of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). It is roughly 3.5 degrees south and slightly east of M31. As of 2005, it is the closest known dSph companion to M31 at an estimated projected distance of ~40 kpc or ~150,000 light-years.
Andromeda Galaxy Andromeda Andromeda, which is shortened from "Andromeda Galaxy", gets its name from the area of the sky in which it appears, the constellation of Andromeda.Template:Citation needed Andromeda is the closest big galaxy to the Milky Way and is expected to collide with the Milky Way around 4.5 billion years from now. The two will eventually merge into a single new galaxy called Milkdromeda<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to simulations, this object would probably be a giant elliptical galaxy, but with a centre showing less stellar density than current elliptical galaxies.<ref name=Cox2008/>
Ambartsumian's Knot Ursa Major Appearance is similar to Ambartsumian's knot NGC 3561, also known as Arp 105, is a pair of interacting galaxies NGC 3561A and NGC 3561B within the galaxy cluster Abell 1185 in Ursa Major. It was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on 30 March 1827.[6] Its common name is "the Guitar" and contains a small tidal dwarf galaxy known as Ambartsumian's Knot that is believed to be the remnant of the extensive tidal tail pulled out of one of the galaxies.
Antennae Galaxies Corvus Appearance is similar to an insect's antennae.Template:Citation needed Two colliding galaxies<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Backward Galaxy Centaurus It appears to rotate backwards, as the tips of the spiral arms point in the direction of rotation.Template:Citation needed
Barnard's Galaxy Named after Edward Emerson Barnard.Template:Citation needed
Bear Paw Galaxy Lynx It resembles the appearance of a bear's claw.Template:Citation needed Also known as "Bear Claw Galaxy."Template:Citation needed
Black Eye Galaxy Coma Berenices It has a spectacular dark band of absorbing dust in front of the galaxy's bright nucleus, giving rise to its nicknames of the "Black Eye" or "Evil Eye" galaxy.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Also known as "Sleeping Beauty Galaxy."
Blinking Galaxy Serpens Its difficulty of viewing in a small telescope and tendency to go in and out of view.Template:Citation needed
Bode's Galaxy Ursa Major Named for Johann Elert Bode who discovered this galaxy in 1774.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Also known as Messier 81. The largest galaxy in the M81 Group. It harbors a supermassive black hole 70 million times the mass of the Sun.
Butterfly Galaxies Virgo Looks are similar to a butterfly.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Cartwheel Galaxy Sculptor Its visual appearance is similar to that of a spoked cartwheel.Template:Citation needed The largest in the Cartwheel Galaxy group, made up of four spiral galaxiesTemplate:Citation needed
Cigar Galaxy Ursa Major Appears similar in shape to a cigar.Template:Citation needed Also known as Messier 82 or M82Template:Citation needed
Circinus Galaxy Circinus Named after the constellation it is located in (Circinus).Template:Citation needed
File:"Cocoon Galaxy" NGC4490 & NGC4485.png Cocoon Galaxy Canes Venatici Its resemblance in shape to a cocoonTemplate:Citation needed
File:Messier99 - SDSS DR14.jpg Coma Pinwheel Galaxy Coma Berenices Named after its resemblance to the Pinwheel Galaxy and its location in the Coma Berenices constellation.Template:Citation needed Also known as Messier 99 or M99Template:Citation needed
File:CometGalaxy.jpg Comet Galaxy Sculptor This galaxy is named after its unusual appearance, looking like a comet.Template:Citation needed The comet effect is caused by tidal stripping by its galaxy cluster, Abell 2667.Template:Citation needed
File:NGC 6872 and IC 4970 by ESO VLT.jpg Condor Galaxy Pavo Named after a condor, a type of vulture that is one of the largest flying birds.Template:Citation needed The largest known spiral galaxy, it has a diameter of over Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is tidally disturbed by the smaller lenticular galaxy IC 4970.<ref name="Eufrasio2013">Template:Cite journal</ref>
File:Eso1524aArtist’s impression of CR7 the brightest galaxy in the early Universe.jpg Template:Nowrap Sextans The name of this galaxy is based on a Redshift (z) measurement of nearly 7 (actually, z = 6.604).<ref name="AJ-20150604"/> Galaxy Cosmos Redshift 7 is reported to be the brightest of distant galaxies (z > 6) and to contain some of the earliest first stars (first generation; Population III) that produced the chemical elements needed for the later formation of planets and life as we know it.<ref name="AJ-20150604">Template:Cite journal</ref>
File:NGC 2146 HST.jpg Dusty Hand Galaxy Camelopardalis Named after the dust lanes and spiral arms of the galaxy.Template:Citation needed
File:NGC 1232.jpg Eye of God Eridanus Named after its structural appearanceTemplate:Citation needed A prototype for multi-arm spiral galaxiesTemplate:Citation needed
File:NGC4151 Galaxy from the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Schulman Telescope courtesy Adam Block.jpg Eye of Sauron Canes Venatici Due to its resemblance to the Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:NGC 6946.jpg Fireworks Galaxy Cygnus and Cepheus Due to its bright and spotty appearanceTemplate:Citation needed Active starburst galaxyTemplate:Citation needed
File:Seyfert Galaxy NGC 7742.jpg Fried Egg Galaxy Pegasus Due to its similar appearance to a fried eggTemplate:Citation needed
File:UGC 2885 (49338889323).jpg Godzilla Galaxy Perseus Its extremely large size<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:NGC 2685- A Helix in the Sky (iotw2415a).jpg Helix Galaxy Ursa Major Its shape resembles a helixTemplate:Citation needed
File:Hubble Interacting Galaxy UGC 4881 (2008-04-24).jpg Grasshopper Lynx Named after its appearance to a grasshopper<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two colliding galaxies
File:Spiral Galaxy IC 342 (noao0703a).jpg Hidden Galaxy Camelopardalis The difficulty in observing this object makes it 'hidden'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> though it can readily be detected even with binoculars.<ref name="omeara">Template:Cite book</ref>
File:NGC4656 - SDSS DR14 (panorama).jpg Hockey Stick Galaxies Canes Venatici Its elongated and curved appearance resembles a hockey stick.Template:Citation needed Also known as Crowbar GalaxyTemplate:Citation needed
File:Hoag's object.jpg Hoag's Object Serpens Caput This is named after Art Hoag, who discovered this ring galaxy.Template:Citation needed It is of the subtype Hoag-type galaxy, and may in fact be a polar-ring galaxy with the ring in the plane of rotation of the central object.Template:Citation needed
File:NGC 5907.jpg Knife Edge Galaxy Draco Named after its thin shape, similar to knife's edge.Template:Citation needed
File:Large.mc.arp.750pix.jpg Large Magellanic Cloud Dorado/Mensa Named after Ferdinand MagellanTemplate:Citation needed This is the fourth-largest galaxy in the Local Group, and forms a pair with the SMC, and from recent research, may not be part of the Milky Way system of satellites at all.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:AM 0644-741.jpg Lindsay-Shapley Ring Volans Named after its discoverer, Eric Lindsay, his professor Harlow Shapley, and its nature as a ring galaxy.Template:Citation needed The ring is the result of collision with another galaxyTemplate:Citation needed
File:N7814s.jpg Little Sombrero Galaxy Pegasus Named after its similarity to the Sombrero Galaxy.Template:Citation needed
File:Malin1-HLA (cropped).jpg Malin 1 Coma Berenices Discovered and named by David Malin.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
File:Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 2442 (noao-ngc2442).jpg Meathook Galaxy Volans After its appearance resembling a meathook.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
File:Snakes and Stones NGC 4194.jpg Medusa Merger Ursa Major Ejected dust from the merging galaxies is said to look like the snakes that the Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology had on her head.Template:Citation needed
File:Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy ESO.jpg Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy Sculptor Similar to the Sculpture GalaxiesTemplate:Citation needed Also known as Sculptor Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy, Sculptor Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy, and formerly as the Sculptor SystemTemplate:Citation needed
File:Merging galaxies NGC 4676 (captured by the Hubble Space Telescope).jpg Mice Galaxies Coma Berenices Appearance is similar to a mouse.Template:Citation needed
File:Small Magellanic Cloud (Digitized Sky Survey 2).jpg Small Magellanic Cloud Tucana Named after Ferdinand MagellanTemplate:Citation needed This forms a pair with the LMC, and from recent research, may not be part of the Milky Way system of satellites at all.Template:Citation needed
File:Hubble Interacting Galaxy Arp 148 (2008-04-24).jpg Mayall's Object Ursa Major This is named after Nicholas Mayall, of the Lick Observatory, who discovered it.<ref>

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Also called VV 32 and Arp 148, this is a very peculiar looking object, and is likely to be not one galaxy, but two galaxies undergoing a collision. Event in images is a spindle shape and a ring shape.Template:Citation needed
File:ESO-VLT-Laser-phot-33a-07.jpg Milky Way Sagittarius (centre) The appearance from Earth of the galaxy—a band of lightTemplate:Citation needed The galaxy containing the Sun and its Solar System, and therefore Earth.
File:Needle Galaxy 4565.jpeg Needle Galaxy Coma Berenices Named due to its slender appearance.Template:Citation needed Also known as Caldwell 38Template:Citation needed
File:The WLM galaxy on the edge of the Local Group.jpg Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte Cetus Named for the three astronomers instrumental in its discovery and identification.Template:Citation needed
File:NGC7448 - SDSS DR14.jpg Paramecium Galaxy Pegasus Named after its appearance to the organism Paramecium It is included in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies in the category galaxies with detached segments.
File:NASA-PeekabooGalaxy-20221206.png Peekaboo Galaxy Hydra Galaxy (aka HIPASS J1131-31) was hidden behind a relatively fast-moving foreground star (TYC 7215-199-1) and became observable when the star moved aside.Template:Citation needed Galaxy, relatively nearby, is considered one of the most metal-poor ("extremely metal-poor" (XMP)), least chemically enriched, and seemingly primordial, galaxies known.<ref name="MN-20221112">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="NASA-20221206">Template:Cite news</ref>
File:M101 hires STScI-PRC2006-10a.jpg Pinwheel Galaxy Ursa Major Similar in appearance to a pinwheel (toy).Template:Citation needed Also known as Messier 101 or M101Template:Citation needed
Radio image of Porphyrion, a black hole jet system spanning an estimated 23 million light-years.
Porphyrion Draco
File:Interacting galaxies Arp 142 (NIRCam and MIRI image) (weic2420a).jpg Porpoise Galaxy Hydra Its appearance resembles a porpoise<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also known as the Penguin Galaxy
File:Sculptor Galaxy up Close.jpg Sculptor Galaxy Sculptor Named after its location in the Sculptor Constellation. Also called the Silver Dollar or Silver Coin Galaxy, because of its light and circular appearance.Template:Citation needed Also known as the Silver Coin, Silver Dollar Galaxy or Caldwell 65Template:Citation needed
File:Kiso 5639 hs-2016-23-a-large web.jpg Skyrocket Galaxy Ursa Major Its resemblance to a July 4th skyrocketTemplate:Citation needed
File:M104 ngc4594 sombrero galaxy hi-res.jpg Sombrero Galaxy Virgo Similar in appearance to a sombrero.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also known as Messier Object 104 or M104
File:Messier 83 (captured by ESO's 1.5-metre Danish telescope).jpg Southern Pinwheel Galaxy Hydra Named after its resemblance to the Pinwheel Galaxy and its location in the southern celestial hemisphere.Template:Citation needed
File:NGC5829 - SDSS DR14.jpg Spider Galaxy Boötes Named after its appearance of a spiderTemplate:Citation needed
File:Spiderweb galaxy (MRC 1138-262) Hubble.jpg Spiderweb Galaxy Hydra Its irregular shape and continuous structure resembles a spiderweb.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:Hubble Interacting Galaxy NGC 6240 (2008-04-24).jpg Starfish Galaxy Ophiuchus Similar in appearance to a starfish.Template:Citation needed Merger of 3 galaxiesTemplate:Citation needed
File:Messier 63 GALEX WikiSky.jpg Sunflower Galaxy Canes Venatici Similar in appearance to a sunflower.Template:Citation needed
File:UGC 10214HST.jpg Tadpole Galaxy Draco The name comes from the resemblance of the galaxy to a tadpole.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This shape resulted from tidal interaction that drew out a long tidal tail.
File:Phot-43a-06.jpg Topsy Turvy Galaxy Reticulum The disorganized and chaotic appearance makes it look topsy turvy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:TriangulumGalaxy-HighRez-Hubble-20190111.png Triangulum Galaxy Triangulum Named after its location within the Triangulum constellation.Template:Citation needed
File:NGC 2683 Spiral galaxy.jpg UFO Galaxy Lynx Named after its resemblance to a UFO.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:N4631s.jpg Whale Galaxy Canes Venatici Named after its supposed resemblance to a whale.Template:Citation needed
File:Messier51 sRGB.jpg Whirlpool Galaxy Canes Venatici From the whirlpool appearance this gravitationally disturbed galaxy exhibits.Template:Citation needed

Naked-eye galaxies

This is a list of galaxies that are visible to the naked eye, for at the very least, keen-eyed observers in a very dark-sky environment that is high in altitude, during clear and stable weather.

Naked-eye galaxies
Galaxy Apparent
Magnitude
Distance Constellation Notes
Milky Way −6.5Template:Efn 0 Sagittarius (centre) This is the galaxy containing the Sun and its Solar System, and therefore Earth. Most things visible to the naked eye in the sky are part of it, including the Milky Way composing the Zone of Avoidance.<ref name=Cornell>

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Large Magellanic Cloud 0.9 Template:Cvt Dorado/Mensa Visible only from the southern hemisphere. It is also the brightest patch of nebulosity in the sky.<ref name=Cornell/><ref>

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Small Magellanic Cloud (NGC 292) 2.7 Template:Cvt Tucana Visible only from the southern hemisphere.<ref name=Cornell/><ref>

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Andromeda Galaxy (M31, NGC 224) 3.4 Template:Cvt Andromeda Once called the Great Andromeda Nebula, it is situated in the Andromeda constellation.<ref name=Cornell/><ref>

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Triangulum Galaxy (M33, NGC 598) 5.7 Template:Cvt Triangulum Being a diffuse object, its visibility is strongly affected by even small amounts of light pollution, ranging from easily visible in direct vision in truly dark skies to a difficult averted vision object in rural/suburban skies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Centaurus A (NGC 5128) 6.84 Template:Cvt Centaurus Centaurus A has been spotted with the naked eye by Stephen James O'Meara.<ref>

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Bode's Galaxy (M81, NGC 3031) 6.94 Template:Cvt Ursa Major Highly experienced amateur astronomers may be able to see Messier 81 under exceptional observing conditions.<ref name=uitti>

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Observational firsts

First Galaxy Constellation Year Notes
First spiral galaxy Whirlpool Galaxy Canes Venatici 1845 Lord William Parsons, Earl of Rosse discovered the first spiral nebula from observing M51 (recognition of the spiral shape without the recognition of the object as outside the Milky Way).<ref>SEDS, Lord Rosse's drawings of M51, his "Question Mark" "Spiral Nebula" Template:Webarchive</ref>
Notion of galaxy Milky Way
& Andromeda Galaxy
Sagittarius (centre)
& Andromeda
1923 Recognition of the Milky Way and the Andromeda nebula as two separate galaxies by Edwin Hubble.Template:Citation needed
First Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 (M77) Cetus 1943
(1908)
The characteristics of Seyfert galaxies were first observed in M77 in 1908; however, Seyferts were defined as a class in 1943.<ref>SEDS, Seyfert Galaxies Template:Webarchive</ref>
First radio galaxy Cygnus A Cygnus 1951 Of several items, then called radio stars, Cygnus A was identified with a distant galaxy, being the first of many radio stars to become a radio galaxy.<ref>

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First quasar 3C 273 Virgo 1962 3C273 was the first quasar with its redshift determined, and by some considered the first quasar.Template:Citation needed
3C 48 Triangulum 1960 3C48 was the first "radio-star" with an unreadable spectrum, and by others considered the first quasar.Template:Citation needed
First superluminal galactic jet 3C 279 Virgo 1971 The jet is emitted by a quasarTemplate:Citation needed
First low surface brightness galaxy Malin 1 Coma Berenices 1986 Malin 1 was the first verified LSB galaxy. LSB galaxies had been first theorized in 1976.<ref name=SciAm-1997-02>Scientific American, "The Ghostliest Galaxies", GD Bothun, Vol. 276, No. 2, February 1997, pp.40–45, Template:Bibcode</ref>
First superluminal jet from a Seyfert III Zw 2 Pisces<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> 2000 <ref>

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Prototypes

This is a list of galaxies that became prototypes for a class of galaxies.

Prototype Galaxies
Class Galaxy Constellation Date Notes
BL Lac object BL Lacertae (BL Lac) Lacerta This AGN was originally catalogued as a variable star, and "stars" of its type are considered BL Lac objects.
Hoag-type Galaxy Hoag's Object Serpens Caput This is the prototype Hoag-type ring galaxy
Giant LSB galaxy Malin 1 Coma Berenices 1986 <ref name=Crosswell-2007-01-22>Ken Crosswell, "Malin 1: A Bizarre Galaxy Gets Slightly Less So" Template:Webarchive, 22 January 2007</ref>
FR II radio galaxy
(double-lobed radio galaxy)
Cygnus A Cygnus 1951 <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Starburst galaxy Cigar Galaxy Ursa Major
Flocculent spiral galaxy NGC 2841 Ursa Major

Closest and most distant-known galaxies by type

Title Galaxy Constellation Distance Notes
Closest galaxy Ursa Major III Ursa Major 32,600 light-years
(10 kiloparsecs)
A proposed dwarf galaxy known as the Canis Major Overdensity may lie closer at 25,000 light-years, however its status as a galaxy is disputed.<ref name="Lopez-Corredoira20012">Template:Cite arXiv</ref><ref name="Momany2004">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Most distant galaxy MoM-z14 Sextans z=14.44 Existed 280 million years after the Big Bang.<ref>Template:Cite arXiv</ref>
Closest quasar Markarian 231 Ursa Major z=0.0415 Sometimes classified as a Type-2 Seyfert galaxy, though mostly considered to be the nearest quasar.Template:Citation needed
Most distant quasar UHZ1 Sculptor z=10.1 Gravitationally lensed quasar behind Pandora's Cluster (Abell 2744). It is also the first quasar observed beyond a redshift of 10.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Closest radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128, PKS 1322–427) Centaurus 13.7 Mly <ref>Sub-parsec-scale structure and evolution in Centaurus A Introduction Template:Webarchive; Tue 26 November, 15:27:29 PST 1996</ref>
Most distant radio galaxy TGSS J1530+1049 Serpens z=5.72<ref>

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Another radio galaxy, GLEAM J0917-0012, may either lie at z=2.01 or as distant as z=8.21.<ref name=N.Seymour>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Closest Seyfert galaxy Circinus Galaxy Circinus 13 Mly Closest undisputed Seyfert galaxy. It has been proposed that the nearby (2.05 Mly) dwarf galaxy NGC 185 may also be a Seyfert,<ref name="hoetal1997">Template:Cite journal</ref> though this status has been disputed.<ref name="Martins2012">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Most distant Seyfert galaxy HSC 0921+0007 Hydra z=6.56<ref name=J.Wolf>Template:Cite journal</ref> Seyfert 1 galaxy; also a low-luminosity quasar.Template:Citation needed
Closest blazar Markarian 421 (Mrk 421, Mkn 421, PKS 1101+384, LEDA 33452) Ursa Major z=0.030 This is a BL Lac object.<ref name=PKS2155-304>The 2006 Giant Flare in PKS 2155-304 and Unidentified TeV Sources Template:Webarchive</ref><ref name=McEnery>Template:Cite web</ref>
Most distant-known blazar Q0906+6930 Ursa Major z=5.47 This is a flat spectrum radio-loud quasar-type blazar.<ref>bNet, Ablaze from afar: astronomers may have identified the most distant "blazar" yet Template:Webarchive, Sept 2004</ref><ref>

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Closest BL Lac object Centaurus A Centaurus 13.7 Mly Misaligned BL Lac nucleus.<ref name=Chiaberge>Template:Cite journal</ref> Also the closest radio galaxy (see above)
Most distant BL Lac object FIRST J233153.20+112952.11 Pegasus z=6.57 <ref name=Koptelova>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Closest LINER
Most distant LINER z=
Closest LIRG
Most distant LIRG z=
Closest ULIRG IC 1127 (Arp 220/APG 220) Serpens Caput z=0.018 <ref>

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Most distant ULIRG z=
Closest starburst galaxy IC 10 (UGC 192, PGC 1305) Cassiopeia Template:Convert A mild starburst galaxy, this is the only such galaxy within the Local Group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Most distant starburst galaxy SPT 0243-49 Horologium z=5.698 <ref name=ScienceDaily-2013-03-13>Science Daily, "'Monster' Starburst Galaxies Discovered in Early Universe" Template:Webarchive, NRAO, 13 March 2013 (accessed 13 March 2013)</ref><ref name=1303.2723>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Most distant spiral galaxy Zhúlóng Sextans z=5.2 <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Closest galaxies

Template:More citations needed section Template:See also

5 Closest Galaxies
Rank Galaxy Distance Notes
1 Milky Way Galaxy 0 This is the galaxy containing the Sun and its Solar System, and therefore Earth.
2 Ursa Major III 0.032 Mly
3 Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy 0.081 Mly
4 Large Magellanic Cloud 0.163 Mly Largest satellite galaxy of the Milky WayTemplate:Citation needed
5 Small Magellanic Cloud 0.197 Mly

Template:Smalldiv

Nearest Galaxies by Type
Title Galaxy Date Distance Notes
Nearest galaxy Milky Way always 0 This is the galaxy containing the Sun and its Solar System, and therefore Earth.Template:Citation needed
Nearest galaxy to the Milky Way Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy 1994 0.070 Mly The closest, undisputed galaxy. The disputed dwarf galaxy Canis Major Overdensity is even closer at 25,000 light-years.Template:Citation needed
Nearest dwarf galaxy Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy 1994 0.070 Mly
Nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way Andromeda Galaxy always 2.54 Mly First identified as a separate galaxy in 1923Template:Citation needed
Nearest giant galaxy Maffei 1 1967 11 Mly Nearest major elliptical galaxy to the Milky WayTemplate:Citation needed
Nearest Neighboring Galaxy Title-holder
Galaxy Date Distance Notes
Ursa Major III 2023 0.01 Mly
Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy 1994–2023 0.026 Mly
Large Magellanic Cloud antiquity–1994 0.163 Mly This is the upper bound, as it is the nearest galaxy observable with the naked eye.Template:Citation needed
Small Magellanic Cloud 1913–1914 0.197 Mly This was the first intergalactic distance measured. In 1913, Ejnar Hertzsprung measures the distance to SMC using Cepheid variables. In 1914, he did it for LMC.Template:Citation needed
Andromeda Galaxy 1923 2.5 Mly This was the first galaxy determined to not be part of the Milky Way.Template:Citation needed

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Most distant galaxies

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Most Remote Galaxies by Type
Title Galaxy Date RedshiftTemplate:Efn Notes
Most remote galaxy of any type, confirmed (spectroscopic redshift) MoM-z14 2025 z=14.44 As of its announcement in May 2025.<ref name=BigThink-20250521/>
Most remote quasar UHZ1 2023 z=10.3 Template:Further

As of its announcement in 2023.<ref name=NASA-CXO-20231106> Template:Cite web </ref><ref name="2023arXiv231213837I"> Template:Cite arXiv</ref><ref name="2024NatAs...8..126B"> Template:Cite journal </ref>

Most distant Lyman-break galaxy MoM-z14 2025 z=14.44 <ref name=BigThink-20250521/>
Timeline of Most Remote Galaxy Record-holdersTemplate:Efn
Galaxy Date Distance
(z=Redshift)Template:Efn
Notes
MoM-z14 2025– z=14.44 <ref name=BigThink-20250521> Template:Cite web </ref><ref name=Gizmodo-20250524> Template:Cite web </ref>
JADES-GS-z14-0 2024–2025 z=14.32 <ref name=SPACE-20250520> Template:Cite web </ref><ref name=BigThink-20250521/>
JADES-GS-z13-0 2012–2024 z=13.20 <ref name=SPACE-20250520/>
GN-z11 2016–2022 z=11.09 Announced March 2016.<ref name="GN-z11">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=BigThink-20250521/>
EGSY8p7
(EGSY-2008532660)
2015–2016 z=8.68 This galaxy's redshift was determined by examining its Lyman-alpha emissions, which were released in August 2015.<ref name=AstronomyNow-2015-08-06>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Space.com-2015-08-05>Template:Cite news</ref>
EGS-zs8-1 2015–2015 z=7.730 This was the most distant galaxy as of May 2015.<ref name="ARX-20150503">Template:Cite journal

</ref><ref name=CBCnews-2015-05-06>Template:Cite news</ref>

Z8 GND 5296 2013–2015 z=7.51 <ref name="adsabs.harvard.edu">Template:Cite journal</ref>
SXDF-NB1006-2 2012–2013 z=7.215 <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
GN-108036 2012–2012 z=7.213 <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
BDF-3299 2012–2013 z=7.109 <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
IOK-1 2006–2010 z=6.96 This was the most remote object known at the time of discovery. In 2009, gamma ray burst GRB 090423 was discovered at z=8.2, taking the title of most distant object. The next galaxy to hold the title also succeeded GRB 090423, that being UDFy-38135539.<ref name=Nature-20-10-2010>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="z.gt.5">

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SDF J132522.3+273520 2005–2006 z=6.597 This was the remotest object known at time of discovery.<ref name="z.gt.5"/><ref name=SDFz6.6>PASJ: Publ. Astron. Soc. Jpn. 57, 165–182, 25 February 2005; The SUBARU Deep Field Project: Lymanα Emitters at a Redshift of 6.6 Template:Webarchive</ref>
SDF J132418.3+271455 2003–2005 z=6.578 This was the remotest object known at time of discovery.<ref name=SDFz6.6/><ref name=BBC-2003-03-25>BBC News, Most distant galaxy detected , Tuesday, 25 March 2003, 14:28 GMT</ref><ref name=SpaceRef-2003-03-24>SpaceRef, Subaru Telescope Detects the Most Distant Galaxy Yet and Expects Many More, Monday, 24 March 2003</ref><ref>

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HCM-6A 2002–2003 z=6.56 This was the remotest object known at time of discovery. The galaxy is lensed by galaxy cluster Abell 370. This was the first galaxy, as opposed to quasar, found to exceed redshift 6. It exceeded the redshift of quasar SDSSp J103027.10+052455.0 of z=6.28<ref name=BBC-2003-03-25/><ref name=SpaceRef-2003-03-24/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>K2.1 HCM 6A — Discovery of a redshift z = 6.56 galaxy lying behind the cluster Abell 370 Template:Webarchive</ref>
SSA22−HCM1 1999–2002 z=5.74 This was the remotest object known at time of discovery. In 2000, the quasar SDSSp J104433.04-012502.2 was discovered at z=5.82, becoming the most remote object in the universe known. This was followed by another quasar, SDSSp J103027.10+052455.0 in 2001, the first object exceeding redshift 6, at z=6.28<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Stern04Sept/>
HDF 4-473.0 1998–1999 z=5.60 This was the remotest object known at the time of discovery.<ref name=Stern04Sept/>
RD1 (0140+326 RD1) 1998 z=5.34 This was the remotest object known at time of discovery. This was the first object found beyond redshift 5.<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref name=NYT-1998-10-20/><ref name=APOD-1998-03-24>Astronomy Picture of the Day, A Baby Galaxy Template:Webarchive, 24 March 1998</ref><ref name="z=5.34">

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=UCLA/>

CL 1358+62 G1 & CL 1358+62 G2 1997–1998 z=4.92 These were the remotest objects known at the time of discovery. The pair of galaxies were found lensed by galaxy cluster CL1358+62 (z=0.33). This was the first time since 1964 that something other than a quasar held the record for being the most distant object in the universe. It exceeded the mark set by quasar PC 1247-3406 at z=4.897<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref name=APOD-1998-03-24/><ref name="z=5.34"/><ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Astronomy Picture of the Day, Behind CL1358+62: A New Farthest Object Template:Webarchive, 31 July 1997</ref><ref name="Illingworth">"Astrophysics and Space Science" 1999, 269/270, 165–181; GALAXIES AT HIGH REDSHIFT – 8. Z > 5 GALAXIES Template:Webarchive; Garth Illingworth</ref>

From 1964 to 1997, the title of most distant object in the universe were held by a succession of quasars.<ref name=Illingworth/> That list is available at list of quasars.

8C 1435+63 1994–1997 z=4.25 This is a radio galaxy. At the time of its discovery, quasar PC 1247-3406 at z=4.73, discovered in 1991 was the most remote object known. This was the last radio galaxy to hold the title of most distant galaxy. This was the first galaxy, as opposed to quasar, that was found beyond redshift 4.<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref>

Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Keck8C1435+63z4.25">

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=NS05111994>Template:Cite journal</ref>

4C 41.17 1990–1994 z=3.792 This is a radio galaxy. At the time of its discovery, quasar PC 1158+4635, discovered in 1989, was the most remote object known, at z=4.73 In 1991, quasar PC 1247-3406, became the most remote object known, at z=4.897<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref name="Keck8C1435+63z4.25"/><ref name=NS05111994/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=4C41.17z3.8>Template:Cite journal</ref>
1 Jy 0902+343 (GB6 B0902+3419, B2 0902+34) 1988–1990 z=3.395 This is a radio galaxy. At the time of discovery, quasar Q0051-279 at z=4.43, discovered in 1987, was the most remote object known. In 1989, quasar PC 1158+4635 was discovered at z=4.73, making it the most remote object known. This was the first galaxy discovered above redshift 3. It was also the first galaxy found above redshift 2.<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref name=4C41.17z3.8/><ref>Science News, Farthest galaxy is cosmic question – 0902+34 Template:Webarchive 23 April 1988</ref><ref>Science News, Two distant galaxies provide new puzzles – 4c 41.17, B2 09021+34 Template:Webarchive, 14 November 1992</ref><ref>

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3C 256 1984–1988 z=1.819 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar PKS 2000-330, at z=3.78, found in 1982.<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
3C 241 1984 z=1.617 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar PKS 2000-330, at z=3.78, found in 1982.<ref name=RAS-1984-12-15>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref> Template:Cite journal</ref>

3C 324 1983–1984 z=1.206 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar PKS 2000-330, at z=3.78, found in 1982.<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref name=RAS-1984-12-15/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
3C 65 1982–1983 z=1.176 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar OQ172, at z=3.53, found in 1974. In 1982, quasar PKS 2000-330 at z=3.78 became the most remote object.
3C 368 1982 z=1.132 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar OQ172, at z=3.53, found in 1974.<ref name=Stern04Sept/>
3C 252 1981–1982 z=1.105 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar OQ172, at z=3.53, found in 1974.
3C 6.1 1979 – z=0.840 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar OQ172, at z=3.53, found in 1974.<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref>

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3C 318 1976 – z=0.752 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar OQ172, at z=3.53, found in 1974.<ref name=Stern04Sept/>
3C 411 1975 – z=0.469 This is a radio galaxy. At the time, the most remote object was quasar OQ172, at z=3.53, found in 1974.<ref name=Stern04Sept/>

From 1964 to 1997, the title of most distant object in the universe were held by a succession of quasars.<ref name=Illingworth/> That list is available at list of quasars.

3C 295 1960– z=0.461 This is a radio galaxy. This was the remotest object known at time of discovery of its redshift. This was the last non-quasar to hold the title of most distant object known until 1997. In 1964, quasar 3C 147 became the most distant object in the universe known.<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref name=Illingworth/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=200in> Template:Cite journal</ref>

LEDA 25177 (MCG+01-23-008) 1951–1960 z=0.2
(V=61000 km/s)
This galaxy lies in the Hydra Supercluster. It is located at B1950.0 Template:RA Template:DEC and is the BCG of the fainter Hydra Cluster Cl 0855+0321 (ACO 732).<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref name=200in/><ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>OBSERVATIONAL TESTS OF WORLD MODELS; 6.1. Local Tests for Linearity of the Redshift-Distance Relation Template:Webarchive; Annu. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 1988. 26: 561–630</ref><ref> Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=RAS-1954-05-08> Template:Cite journal</ref><ref> Template:Cite journal</ref><ref> Template:Cite journal A&AAid:AAA001.141.093 </ref>

LEDA 51975 (MCG+05-34-069) 1936– z=0.13
(V=39000 km/s)
The brightest cluster galaxy of the Bootes cluster (ACO 1930), an elliptical galaxy at B1950.0 Template:RA Template:DEC apparent magnitude 17.8, was found by Milton L. Humason in 1936 to have a 40,000 km/s recessional redshift velocity.<ref name=RAS-1954-05-08/><ref name=z1936>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal

LEDA 20221 (MCG+06-16-021) 1932 – z=0.075
(V=23000 km/s)
This is the BCG of the Gemini Cluster (ACO 568) and was located at B1950.0 Template:RA Template:DEC<ref name=z1936/><ref name=RASC-26>

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BCG of WMH Christie's Leo Cluster 1931–1932 z=
(V=19700 km/s)
<ref name=RASC-26/><ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref> Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=ASPL-1> Template:Cite journal</ref>

BCG of Baede's Ursa Major Cluster 1930–1931 z=
(V=11700 km/s)
<ref name=ASPL-1/><ref name=Rayton>

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NGC 4860 1929–1930 z=0.026
(V=7800 km/s)
<ref name=H0/><ref>

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NGC 7619 1929 z=0.012
(V=3779 km/s)
Using redshift measurements, NGC 7619 was the highest at the time of measurement. At the time of announcement, it was not yet accepted as a general guide to distance; however, later in the year, Edwin Hubble described redshift in relation to distance, leading to a seachange, and having this being accepted as an inferred distance.<ref name=H0/><ref name=Humason-1929-03-15>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
NGC 584 (Dreyer nebula 584) 1921–1929 z=0.006
(V=1800 km/s)
At the time, nebula had yet to be accepted as independent galaxies. However, in 1923, galaxies were generally recognized as external to the Milky Way.<ref name=RAS-1954-05-08/><ref name=H0>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Humason-1929-03-15/><ref name=Bio52/><ref> Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=NYT-1921-01-18>Template:Cite news</ref>

M104 (NGC 4594) 1913–1921 z=0.004
(V=1180 km/s)
This was the second galaxy whose redshift was determined; the first being Andromeda—which is approaching us and thus cannot have its redshift used to infer distance. Both were measured by Vesto Melvin Slipher. At this time, nebula had yet to be accepted as independent galaxies. NGC 4594 was originally measured as 1000 km/s, then refined to 1100, and then to 1180 in 1916.<ref name=H0/><ref name=Bio52>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=NYT-1921-01-18/>
M81 Template:Nowrap 11.8 Mly z=-0.10) This is the lower bound, as it is remotest galaxy observable with the naked eye. It is 12 million light-years away. Redshift cannot be used to infer distance, because it is moving toward us faster than cosmological expansion.
Messier 101 1930– Using the pre-1950s Cepheid measurements, M101 was one of the most distant so measured.Template:Citation needed
Triangulum Galaxy 1924–1930 In 1924, Edwin Hubble announced the distance to M33 Triangulum.Template:Citation needed
Andromeda Galaxy 1923–1924 In 1923, Edwin Hubble measured the distance to Andromeda, and settled the question of whether or not there were galaxies, or if everything was in the Milky Way.
Small Magellanic Cloud 1913–1923 This was the first intergalactic distance measured. In 1913, Ejnar Hertzsprung measures the distance to SMC using Cepheid variables.

Timeline notes

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>BBC News, Hubble spies most distant object, Thursday, 15 April 1999</ref>

  • BR1202-0725 LAE, discovered in 1998 at z=5.64 does not appear on the list because it was not definitively pinned. BR1202-0725 (QSO 1202-07) refers to a quasar that the Lyman alpha emitting galaxy is near. The quasar itself lies at z=4.6947<ref name=NYT-1998-10-20>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=UCLA>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • BR2237-0607 LA1 and BR2237-0607 LA2 were found at z=4.55 while investigating around the quasar BR2237-0607 in 1996. Neither of these appear on the list because they were not definitively pinned down at the time. The quasar itself lies at z=4.558<ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref> Template:Cite journal</ref>

  • In 1986, a gravitationally lensed galaxy forming a blue arc was found lensed by galaxy cluster CL 2224-02 (C12224 in some references). However, its redshift was only determined in 1991, at z=2.237, by which time, it would no longer be the most distant galaxy known.<ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • An absorption drop was discovered in 1985 in the light spectrum of quasar PKS 1614+051 at z=3.21 This does not appear on the list because it was not definitively fixed down. At the time, it was claimed to be the first non-QSO galaxy found beyond redshift 3. The quasar itself is at z=3.197<ref name=Stern04Sept/><ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref>

  • From 1964 to 1997, the title of most distant object in the universe was held by a succession of quasars.<ref name=Illingworth/> That list is available at list of quasars.
  • In 1958, clusters Cl 0024+1654 and Cl 1447+2619 were estimated to have redshifts of z=0.29 and z=0.35, respectively. However, no galaxy was spectroscopically determined.<ref name=200in/>

Galaxies by brightness and power

Title Galaxy Data Notes
Intrinsically brightest galaxy Baby Boom Galaxy Starburst galaxy located 12 billion light-years awayTemplate:Citation needed
Brightest galaxy to the naked eye Large Magellanic Cloud Apparent magnitude 0.6 This galaxy has high surface brightness combined with high apparent brightness.Template:Citation needed
Intrinsically faintest galaxy Ursa Major III Absolute magnitude +2.2 This does not include dark galaxies.Template:Citation needed
Lowest surface brightness galaxy Andromeda IX
Most luminous galaxy WISE J224607.57−052635.0 As of 21 May 2015, WISE-J224607.57-052635.0-20150521 is the most luminous galaxy discovered and releases 10,000 times more energy than the Milky Way galaxy, although smaller. Nearly 100 percent of the light escaping from this dusty galaxy is Infrared radiation.<ref name="NASA-20150521">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="PO-20150521">Template:Cite web</ref> (Image)
Brightest distant galaxy (z > 6) Cosmos Redshift 7 Galaxy Cosmos Redshift 7 is reported to be the brightest of distant galaxies (z > 6) and to contain some of the earliest first stars (first generation; Population III) that produced the chemical elements needed for the later formation of planets and life as we know it.<ref name="AJ-20150604"/><ref name="NYT-20150617">Template:Cite news</ref>

Galaxies by mass and density

Title Galaxy Data Notes
Least massive galaxy Template:Nowrap Template:Nowrap This is not considered a star cluster, as it is held together by the gravitational effects of dark matter rather than just the mutual attraction of the constituent stars, gas and black holes.<ref>Sci-News.com, "Segue 2: Most Lightweight Galaxy in Universe" Template:Webarchive, Natali Anderson, 11 June 2013 (accessed 11 June 2013)</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Most massive galaxy Template:Nowrap Template:Nowrap Central galaxy in Abell 3827, 1.4 Gly distant.<ref>Astronomy Now, "Heavyweight galaxy is king of its cluster" Template:Webarchive, Keith Cooper, 13 May 2010 (accessed 9 March 2013)</ref><ref>Research.gov, "Astronomers Discover Most Massive Galaxy Yet, Formed by 'Galactic Cannibalism'" Template:Webarchive (accessed 9 March 2013)</ref>
Most dense galaxy Template:Nowrap This is an ultra-compact dwarf galaxy<ref name=SpaceDaily-2015-07-29>Template:Cite news</ref>
Least dense galaxy
Most massive spiral galaxy Template:Nowrap Template:Nowrap The preceding most massive spiral was UGC 12591<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
Least massive galaxy with globular Template:Nowrap Template:Nowrap <ref>

Template:Cite journal</ref>

Galaxies by size

Template:See also

Title Galaxy Constellation Diameter Estimation method Notes
Smallest known galaxy Ursa Major III Ursa Major Template:Convert<ref name="S.E.T. Smith"/> Half-light radius A Milky Way satellite dwarf galaxy.<ref name="S.E.T. Smith">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Largest known galaxy ESO 383-76 Centaurus Template:Convert<ref name="NED ESO 383-76">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn 90% total B-light Central galaxy of Abell 3571<ref name=Dupke>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Largest spiral galaxy NGC 6872 Pavo Template:Convert D25.5 isophote Interacting galaxy, stripped by IC 4970.Template:Citation needed
Largest irregular galaxy UGC 6697 Leo Template:Convert D25 isophote Disrupted spiral-like galaxy, possible jellyfish galaxy.Template:Citation needed
Largest lenticular galaxy ESO 248-6 Eridanus Template:Convert 90% total B-light Central galaxy of Abell 3112.Template:Citation needed
Largest starburst galaxy Abell 2125 BCG Ursa Minor Template:Convert 2MASS K-band total mag
Largest giant radio galaxy ASKAP J0107-2347 Sculptor Projected linear size:

3.8 megaparsec (12,390,000 light-years)

<ref>Template:Cite arXiv</ref>

Interacting galaxies

Template:Main

Galaxies in tidal interaction
Galaxies Data Notes
The Magellanic Clouds are being tidally disrupted by the Milky Way Galaxy, resulting in the Magellanic Stream drawing a tidal tail away from the LMC and SMC, and the Magellanic Bridge drawing material from the clouds to the Milky Way galaxy.Template:Citation needed
The smaller galaxy NGC 5195 is tidally interacting with the larger Whirlpool Galaxy, creating its grand design spiral galaxy architecture.Template:Citation needed
These three galaxies interact with each other and draw out tidal tails, which are dense enough to form star clusters. The bridge of gas between these galaxies is known as Arp's Loop.<ref>Sky and Telescope, Stars in the Middle of Nowhere Template:Webarchive, 10 January 2008</ref>
NGC 6872 is a barred spiral galaxy with a grand design spiral nucleus, and distinct well-formed outer barred-spiral architecture, caused by tidal interaction with satellite galaxy IC 4970.Template:Citation needed
Tadpole Galaxy The Tadpole Galaxy tidally interacted with another galaxy in a close encounter, and remains slightly disrupted, with a long tidal tail.Template:Citation needed
Galaxies in non-merger significant collision
Galaxies Data Notes
Arp 299 (NGC 3690 & IC 694) These two galaxies have recently collided and are now both barred irregular galaxies.Template:Citation needed
Galaxies disrupted post significant non-merger collisions
Galaxies Data Notes
Mayall's Object This is a pair of galaxies, one which punched through the other, resulting in a ring galaxy.Template:Citation needed

Galaxy mergers

Galaxies undergoing near-equal merger
Galaxies Data Notes
Antennae Galaxies (Ringtail Galaxy, NGC 4038 & NGC 4039, Arp 244) 2 galaxies Two spiral galaxies currently starting a collision, tidally interacting, and in the process of merger.Template:Citation needed
Eyes Galaxies (NGC 4435 & NGC 4438, Arp 120) 2 galaxies Two galaxies which have interacted or still interacting via an off-center collision, both had interacted with M86 in the past.Template:Citation needed
Butterfly Galaxies (Siamese Twins Galaxies, NGC 4567 & NGC 4568) 2 galaxies Two spiral galaxies in the process of starting to merge.Template:Citation needed
Mice Galaxies (NGC 4676, NGC 4676A & NGC 4676B, IC 819 & IC 820, Arp 242) 2 galaxies Two spiral galaxies currently tidally interacting and in the process of merger.Template:Citation needed
NGC 520 2 galaxies Two spiral galaxies undergoing collision, in the process of merger.Template:Citation needed
NGC 2207 and IC 2163 (NGC 2207 & IC 2163) 2 galaxies These are two spiral galaxies starting to collide, in the process of merger.Template:Citation needed
NGC 5090 and NGC 5091 (NGC 5090 & NGC 5091) 2 galaxies These two galaxies are in the process of colliding and merging.Template:Citation needed
NGC 7318 (Arp 319, NGC 7318A & NGC 7318B) 2 galaxies These are two starting to collideTemplate:Citation needed
Four galaxies in CL0958+4702 4 galaxies These four near-equals at the core of galaxy cluster CL 0958+4702 are in the process of merging.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Galaxy protocluster LBG-2377 z=3.03 This was announced as the most distant galaxy merger ever discovered. It is expected that this proto-cluster of galaxies will merge to form a brightest cluster galaxy, and become the core of a larger galaxy cluster.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Galaxy protocluster SPT2349-56 z=4.3 (14 galaxies) This protocluster is located at 12.4 billion light years from the Earth. Each of these galaxies are forming stars at 1000 times that of the Milky Way, nicknamed the Dusty Red Core.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Recently merged galaxies of near-equals
Galaxy Data Notes
Starfish Galaxy (NGC 6240, IC 4625) This recently coalesced galaxy still has two prominent nuclei.Template:Citation needed
Galaxies undergoing disintegration by cannibalization
Disintegrating Galaxy Consuming Galaxy Notes
Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy Milky Way Galaxy The Monoceros Ring is thought to be the tidal tail of the disrupted CMa dg.Template:Citation needed
Virgo Stellar Stream Milky Way Galaxy This is thought to be a completely disrupted dwarf galaxy.Template:Citation needed
Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy Milky Way Galaxy M54 is thought to be the core of this dwarf galaxy.Template:Citation needed
Objects considered destroyed galaxies
Defunct Galaxy Destroyer Notes
Omega Centauri Milky Way Galaxy This is now categorized a globular cluster of the Milky Way. However, it is considered the core of a dwarf galaxy that the Milky Way cannibalized.<ref name=BHwCen>

Template:Cite web</ref>

Mayall II Andromeda Galaxy This is now categorized a globular cluster of Andromeda. However, it is considered the core of a dwarf galaxy that Andromeda cannibalized.Template:Citation needed
Gaia Sausage Milky Way Galaxy It is now considered a remnant of a dwarf galaxy that collided with the Milky Way about 8-11 billion years ago. It is the last major merger of the Milky Way in its lifetime.Template:Citation needed

Galaxies with some other notable feature

Galaxy name Distance Constellation Property Notes
SDSS J081421.68+522410 Lynx Giant radio lobes Also termed Alcyoneus. Its radio lobes are some of the largest known structure made by a single galaxy.<ref name=ESO>Template:Cite journal</ref>
M87 Virgo Template:Clarify This is the central galaxy of the Virgo Cluster, the central cluster of the Local Supercluster<ref>

Template:Cite web</ref> It contains the first black hole ever imaged, in April 2019, by the Event Horizon Telescope.Template:Citation needed

M102 Draco (Ursa Major) Template:Clarify This galaxy cannot be definitively identified, with the most likely candidate being NGC 5866, and a good chance of it being a misidentification of M101. Other candidates have also been suggested.
NGC 2770 Lynx "Supernova Factory" NGC 2770 is referred to as the "Supernova Factory" due to three recent supernovae occurring within it.
Arp 122 Template:Clarify Arp 122 is a collision of NGC 6040 and PGC 56942 or NGC 6039.
NGC 3314 (NGC 3314a and NGC 3314b) Hydra exact visual alignment This is a pair of spiral galaxies, one superimposed on another, at two separate and distinct ranges, and unrelated to each other. It is a rare chance visual alignment.
ESO 137-001 Triangulum Australe "tail" feature Lying in the galaxy cluster Abell 3627, this galaxy is being stripped of its gas by the pressure of the intracluster medium (ICM), due to its high speed traversal through the cluster, and is leaving a high density tail with large amounts of star formation. The tail features the largest amount of star formation outside of a galaxy seen so far. The galaxy has the appearance of a comet, with the head being the galaxy, and a tail of gas and stars.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>

Template:Cite press release</ref><ref> Template:Cite journal</ref><ref> Template:Cite journal</ref>

Comet Galaxy Sculptor interacting with a galaxy cluster Lying in galaxy cluster Abell 2667, this spiral galaxy is being tidally stripped of stars and gas through its high speed traversal through the cluster, having the appearance of a comet.
4C +37.11 230 Mpc Perseus Least separation between binary central black holes, at Template:Cvt OJ 287 has an inferred pair with a 12-year orbital period, and thus would be much closer than 4C 37.11's pair.
SDSS J150636.30+540220.9
Template:RATemplate:DEC
("SDSS J1506+54")
z = 0.608 Boötes Most efficient star production Most extreme example in the list of moderate-redshift galaxies with the highest density starbursts yet observed found in the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer data (Diamond-Stanic et al. 2012).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Cosmos Redshift 7 z = 6.604 Sextans Brightest distant galaxy (z > 6, 12.9 billion light-years) Galaxy Cosmos Redshift 7 is reported to be the brightest of distant galaxies (z > 6) and to contain some of the earliest first stars (first generation; Population III) that produced the chemical elements needed for the later formation of planets and life as we know it.<ref name="AJ-20150604"/><ref name="NYT-20150617"/>
RUBIES-UDS-QG-z7 z = 7.29 Cetus Earliest known massive quiescent galaxy This galaxy is reported to be the most distant and therefore earliest (700 million years after the Big Bang) massive galaxy where star formation stopped, contrary to expectations based on current models of galaxy formation.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
AMORE6 z = 5.725 Sculptor Most pristine galaxy This galaxy is reported to be very metal poor, with the oxygen abundance of 12+log(O/H) < 5.8 (2 sigma), or <0.12% of Solar abundance, measured via JWST spectroscopy. This metallicity measurement is the lowest in the literature, making it the most pristine galaxy to date.<ref>Template:Cite arXiv</ref>
File:Hubble-Space-Telescope-Galaxy-Collection.jpg
Galaxies (left/top, right/bottom): Template:Small

See also

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Lists of galaxies

Template:Main Template:Div col

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Notes

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References

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Template:Galaxy Template:Portal bar