What distinguishes a spiral galaxy?

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A spiral galaxy is characterized by its distinct structure, specifically its nucleus at the center and the presence of one or more spiral arms that extend outward. This structure results in a swirling appearance, where the arms can be visually prominent and are often home to new star formations, dust, and gas. The spiral arms typically rotate around the central bulge which houses older stars and a supermassive black hole.

The specific formation of spiral arms and a centralized nucleus give spiral galaxies their defining feature, setting them apart from other galaxy types, such as elliptical or irregular galaxies. Other factors, such as size or distance from Earth, do not inherently define the type or characteristics of a galaxy. While some galaxies can be categorized by their size or proximity, those aspects do not contribute to classifying a galaxy as spiral.

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