What is a Galaxy?

A galaxy is a vast collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars, along with their solar

systems. These galaxies are held together by gravity. Here are some key points about galaxies:

1. Types of Galaxies:

o Elliptical Galaxies: These galaxies are generally rounded or elongated,

resembling cigar-shaped ellipses. They lack the spiral arms seen in spiral galaxies.

o Spiral Galaxies: Characterized by arms of brighter stars spiraling out from a flat

spinning disk. Our Milky Way is a spiral galaxy.

2. Andromeda Galaxy (M31):

o Also known as simply Andromeda, it is the closest large galaxy to our Milky

Way.

o Expected to collide with the Milky Way in about 4.5 billion years, eventually

merging into a new galaxy called Milkdromeda.

3. Antennae Galaxies:

o These two colliding galaxies in the constellation Corvus resemble insect

antennae.

4. Black Eye Galaxy (M64):

o Also known as the Sleeping Beauty Galaxy, it has a dark band of absorbing dust

in front of its bright nucleus.

5. Bode’s Galaxy (Messier 81):

o Named after Johann Elert Bode, it is the largest galaxy in the M81 Group and

harbors a supermassive black hole.

 6. Cartwheel Galaxy:

o Located in the constellation Sculptor, it visually resembles a spoked cartwheel.

Remember, galaxies come in various shapes and sizes, each with its unique features, and there

are an estimated 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe

Let’s explore the key differences between elliptical and spiral galaxies:

1. Shape:

o Elliptical Galaxies:

 Generally rounded or elongated, resembling cigar-shaped ellipses.

 Classified from E0 (circular) to E7 (long, thin).

 Lack the spiral arms seen in spiral galaxies.

o Spiral Galaxies:

 Characterized by arms of brighter stars spiraling out from a flat spinning

disk.

 The arms curve in a spiral shape.

2. Size and Structure:

o Elliptical Galaxies:

 Much larger than spiral galaxies.

 Contain a large number of stars.

 May range from giant ellipticals to dwarf ellipticals.

o Spiral Galaxies:

 Vary in size, brightness, and mass.

 Consist of a central bulge of older stars and a disk with spiral arms.

 Our Milky Way is a spiral galaxy.

3. Star Formation and Color:

o Elliptical Galaxies:

 Generally contain little gas and dust.

 Older stars dominate.

 Less colorful.

o Spiral Galaxies:

 Brighter and more colorful due to ongoing star formation.

 Possess young, hot stars in their spiral arms.

4. Rotation:
 o Elliptical Galaxies:

 Stars orbit randomly around the center.

 Less organized motion.

o Spiral Galaxies:

 Rotate around a central bulge.

 More structured motion.

In summary, elliptical galaxies lack spiral arms, are larger, and contain older stars, while spiral

galaxies have distinct arms, ongoing star formation, and a more organized structure.