spiral galaxy
noun
: a galaxy exhibiting a central nucleus or barred structure from which extend curved arms of higher luminosity
called also spiral nebula
Examples of spiral galaxy in a Sentence
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Since then, astronomers have observed all manner of lensing caused by all manner of bodies—perhaps none as visually striking as this image, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, of a foreground galaxy cluster lensing the light of a background spiral galaxy.
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Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
About 50 years ago, astronomer Vera Rubin discovered a similar mystery in spiral galaxies.
—Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
The event took place inside NGC 3783, a spiral galaxy hosting a black hole weighing 30 million Suns.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
Supermassive black holes are notoriously messy eaters, but the behemoth at the heart of spiral galaxy NGC 3783 really takes the cake — and then flings it out into space at a fifth the speed of light.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 9 Dec. 2025
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Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
About 50 years ago, astronomer Vera Rubin discovered a similar mystery in spiral galaxies.
—Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
The event took place inside NGC 3783, a spiral galaxy hosting a black hole weighing 30 million Suns.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
Supermassive black holes are notoriously messy eaters, but the behemoth at the heart of spiral galaxy NGC 3783 really takes the cake — and then flings it out into space at a fifth the speed of light.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral galaxy
Cite this Entry
“Spiral galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral%20galaxy. Accessed 25 Dec. 2025.
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