Ok no googling-what's the largest known galaxy

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

I was asked this question today and was stumped .. thought it was M81 but I was not even close..

so who knows..and no googling allowed

BTW the usually reliable wikipedia seems to have this one at odds with other sources

[astroron (Ron)]

at a guess I'd say M87 or something like it

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

I assume we're talking REAL size here, just to clarify .... ??

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

I'm with Ron on that one, with stars measured in the "Trillions" M87 would have to go close as the winner.

[astro_nutt]

I agree...M87 is a likely candidate for the prize!

[sheeny (Al)]

OK...

Smart A Answer No 1: Largest apparent size = Milky Way.

Smart A Answer No 2: It probably hasn't been found yet, but will be found in the future, but maybe not.

As for a serious attempt... I'm with you Seeker - stumped!

Al.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I don't know (and couldn't find) what is the largest galaxy, though I did come across this page
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/que...php?number=412

[spacezebra (Petra)]

If no Googling - can we use other reference material ?

Cheers Petra

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Oh well I am glad to see I'm not the only one who didnt know the answer to this...google away but even that didn't seem to provide a definite answer?

[xelasnave]

I can not find anything but I recall something about 18mths ago saying in effect the favorite here was out done...thats why it was news, but I am begining to think I dreamed it, cause I usually keep stuff like that but cant find anything like I recall.
alex

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

The Narayan Galaxy!

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

The Narayan Galaxy!

LOL

but no cigar!

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Well done Ken, how did you find it? I would be interested in doing a little reading on it.


Cheers Petra

[xelasnave]

I found it everything in the observable Universe is being drawn to it. I am sure someone will have a link soon

[xelasnave]

They may be pulling your leg, thats Seeker's name so if they are not fooling its a big coincidence.
Best wishes
alex

[allan gould]

Was scanning the internet and came across this

Largest Galaxy
The central galaxy of Abell 2029 galaxy cluster, 1070 million light years distant in Virgo has a major diameter of 5,600,000 light years - 80n times the diameter of the Milky Way announced in July 1990.

This is probably the answer to you question

[xelasnave]

Ok we have a bid of 5,600,000 light years can we improve on that..
Is that not mind boggling . I wonder if there is anyone there?
and given that it is so relatively close we will probably be in it one day.
alex

[Lee]

I find it difficult to imagine the distance to alpha-centauri.... let alone out of the milky way disc, let alone anywhere else....

[xelasnave]

I have been thinking about the enorminty of this galaxy its size could be expressed as a percentage of the observable Universe .. how can it be so big and "hold" together. If gravity acts at C how does the right hand know what the left hand is doing and given the current view on the age of the Universe how could it grow to such a size in only 13 billion years approx. Mmmm makes my brain go numb (more than usual) Would the "space" in the gallaxy be expanding to move stars further apart? One would think not as the gravity of such a structure could be expected to overrule such... How much does it bend space time and for how far would its influence be felt?
I doubt if someone will pop up with a simple explanation I am just pondering and sharing my ponders
alex

[xelasnave]

AND what I should have said earlier..
Thank you Allan for bringing us up to date.
alex