the bar that runs through the galaxyΓÇÖs center, where the bulge appears. Maffei 2 looks elongated here because of its position in relation to our line of sight; if viewed from above, the spiral arms would appear more circular.
Most ΓÇ£normalΓÇ¥ galaxies are symmetrical, but Maffei 2 is not. The spiral arms are different from each other: one is short and bright; the other is about twice as long and dim. Nor does the bar appear exactly straight. These unusual features are visible at many wavelengths of light.
Asymmetries in spiral galaxies are often caused by gravitational interactions with other galaxies. These interactions are not like collisions between solid objects. Despite their billions of stars and
