NGC 6744, in the constellation Pavo, is the largest barred spiral galaxy in the known universe. The galaxyΓÇÖs extremely bright central region is easily visible in this image, and if one looks closely, the fainter ring of gas and dust surrounding the nucleus can also be resolved. Although two large spiral arms extend from the ring, the disk is dominated by a diffuse system of more delicate arms. The dark areas within the arms are composed of dust; by contrast, there is little dust in the bar or nucleus.
