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Reference.org
Grand design spiral galaxy
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<p>A grand design spiral galaxy is a <a href="/facts/Spiral_galaxy/hRT2dtxJ">spiral galaxy</a> with prominent and well-defined spiral arms, as opposed to multi-arm and <a href="/facts/Flocculent_spiral_galaxy/M6jtYBlR">flocculent</a> spirals which have subtler structural features. The spiral arms of a grand design galaxy extend clearly around the galaxy, covering a significant portion of the galaxy's circumference. As of 2002, approximately 10 percent of <a href="/facts/Observable_Universe/CdTGMdsp">all currently known</a> spiral galaxies are classified as grand design type spirals, including <a href="/facts/Whirlpool_Galaxy/tah45nH8">M51</a>, <a href="/facts/Messier_74/t2xbARLn">M74</a>, <a href="/facts/Messier_81/p91h990c">M81</a>, <a href="/facts/Messier_83/jAJEtb47">M83</a>, <a href="/facts/Pinwheel_Galaxy/RS5RoE0R">M101</a>, <a href="/facts/NGC_6946/2RWdwP4e">NGC 6946</a> and <a href="/facts/IC_342/whevMCYR">IC 342</a>. </p>