Not every galaxy follows the blueprint.
NGC 4725 is a rare "one-armed" barred spiral galaxy wrapped in a ring of star formation.
Studying unusual galaxies like this one helps scientists understand how the gravity from a passing galaxy can trigger bursts of star formation.
ALT This is a composite image of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 4725 against a black background filled with stars and distant galaxies. The galaxy appears tilted diagonally, with a bright cream-colored central bar surrounded by a soft blue disk. A single prominent spiral arm wraps around the galaxy, giving it an unusual one-armed appearance. Small magenta points scattered throughout the galaxy represent X-ray sources detected by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The galaxy is encircled by a faint ring of star formation, while bright foreground stars sparkle throughout the surrounding field of view.
Nov 6, 2026 · 5:12 PM UTC
