Which galaxy is the largest known by diameter?
Quick Answer
IC 1101 is often cited as the largest known galaxy by diameter, with estimates around 1 to 2 million light-years across. It sits at the center of the Abell 2029 galaxy cluster.
The Full Story
IC 1101 is one of the biggest known galaxies in the universe and is commonly described as the largest by diameter. Its size is estimated at roughly 1 to 2 million light-years across, far larger than the Milky Way’s about 100,000-light-year disk. It is a supergiant elliptical galaxy in the Abell 2029 cluster, about 1 billion light-years from Earth. Because galaxy sizes are difficult to measure precisely, different studies can give slightly different values, but IC 1101 remains one of the clearest examples of an extreme giant galaxy.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"Meet one of the universe’s true giant galaxies."
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