Types of Galaxies
Galaxies have similar traits, but different characteristics as well. Perhaps the most distinctive of these characteristics are the shape of the galaxy. There are three main types of galaxies: elliptical, spiral, and barred spiral.
Elliptical
Elliptical galaxies are a spherical-like shape. When we see them in the sky, they appear to be a simple oval or circle shape. They have a very small amount of dust and gas. Due to the lack of gas, a limited amount of stars form in these galaxies. Most starts in elliptical galaxies are old.
Elliptical galaxies usually form from collision, so they are found nearby clusters and other groups of galaxies. Elliptical galaxies are categorized by their shape, perfect circle or flat. these galaxies have no exact center for rotation like ours. The small number of old stars that do exist in elliptical galaxies move around in an unplanned and random rotation.
Galaxies have similar traits, but different characteristics as well. Perhaps the most distinctive of these characteristics are the shape of the galaxy. There are three main types of galaxies: elliptical, spiral, and barred spiral.
Elliptical
Elliptical galaxies are a spherical-like shape. When we see them in the sky, they appear to be a simple oval or circle shape. They have a very small amount of dust and gas. Due to the lack of gas, a limited amount of stars form in these galaxies. Most starts in elliptical galaxies are old.
Elliptical galaxies usually form from collision, so they are found nearby clusters and other groups of galaxies. Elliptical galaxies are categorized by their shape, perfect circle or flat. these galaxies have no exact center for rotation like ours. The small number of old stars that do exist in elliptical galaxies move around in an unplanned and random rotation.
Spiral Galaxies
Spiral galaxies are the most common type of galaxies. Our solar system, the Milky Way, is a spiral galaxy. The galaxies have a center hoop that is extremely bright in most cases. Spiral galaxies have arms that wings out, on either side, from the center hoop. There are abundance amounts of gas and dust in spiral galaxies, so there are many young, blue stars in the arms of the galaxies. The stars found in the center hoop are more likely to be old and red.
If you see a spiral galaxy with its whole shape and arms, then it is known as a "face-on" spiral galaxy. on the other hand, if you see the edge of a spiral galaxy, then it is known as an "edge-on" spiral galaxy.
Different spiral galaxies have longer or shorter arms. The arms rotate like a whirlpool. Spiral galaxies are classified by the size of their center, or by the appearance of the distance of the arms form the center.
Barred Spiral Galaxies
Barred spiral galaxies have the same basic concept as regular spiral galaxies. Barred spiral galaxies differ from the original spiral galaxies because they have a bright bar that runs through its middle. The bar gives this type of galaxy its name.
Barred spiral galaxies have the same basic concept as regular spiral galaxies. Barred spiral galaxies differ from the original spiral galaxies because they have a bright bar that runs through its middle. The bar gives this type of galaxy its name.
End of Section Quiz(test your knowledge of the Types of Galaxies below)
1. What is one main type of galaxy?
1. What is one main type of galaxy?
2. How are elliptical galaxies classified?
3. What is the most common type of galaxy?
4. What do Spiral galaxies appearance compared to?
5. How are barred spiral galaxies different from spiral galaxies?