The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy, often classified more specifically as type SBbc in the Hubble system.

Quick Scoop

  • Astronomers used to think the Milky Way was a普通 spiral, but detailed observations showed a straight “bar” of stars cutting through the central bulge.
  • Today it is described as a barred spiral galaxy with several loosely wound spiral arms extending from that central bar.
  • In simple terms: it is not elliptical, not irregular, but a barred spiral galaxy that is fairly typical for galaxies of its size in the universe.

In everyday classroom terms, if you have to pick from “elliptical / spiral / barred spiral,” the Milky Way’s type is barred spiral galaxy.

TL;DR: The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy, not an elliptical or irregular one.