Here's why:
* Spiral Structure: The Milky Way has distinct spiral arms, which are regions of higher density where star formation is more active.
* Barred Structure: A bar-shaped structure of stars runs through the center of the galaxy, giving it the "barred" designation.
* Irregular Galaxies: Irregular galaxies lack a defined shape or structure, unlike spirals and ellipticals.
So, while the Milky Way might appear irregular from our perspective within it, its overall structure is well-defined and fits into the spiral category.