ENGLISH PROJECT

Galaxy classification

By:Beldianu Andrei-Cosmin
Geography II
 A galaxy is a large collection of stars, dust, and nebulae (gas clouds) which are held
together by gravitational attraction. The amount of space that these galaxies take up is
immense. They are measured in light years (the distance that light travels in one year,
about 9.4 trillion km). It is difficult, if not impossible, to accurately measure the distances
to galaxies. The Magellanic Clouds are 150,000–200,000light years from the Milky Way,
and have a diameter of 30,000 light years. The Andromeda Galaxy is 870,000 light years
away, and has a diameter of 45,000 light years.
At present, the closest known galaxy to the Milky Way is the Canis Major Dwarf
Galaxy (Canis Major Overdensity) which is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This stellar
formation is about 25,000 light years from our solar system, and 45,000 light years
from the centre of our galaxy. This puts it closer to us than the center of our own galaxy,
which is 30,000 light years away from the Solar System!

Edwin Hubble, a well known astronomer, classified galaxies into three major groups,
ellipsoidal (elliptical), spiral, and irregular, based on their shape and origin. The core of a
galaxy, where most of its stars are concentrated, is called the galaxy’s nucleus (bulge).
The spiral arms of spiral galaxies are concentrations of stars that seem to spin from the
nucleus.

Elliptical Galaxies- Symmetrical structures ranging from spheres to flattened ellipses.

Usually these stars are older types of stars called Population II.

Spiral Galaxies- A galaxy that has a distinct nucleus and one or more spiral arms. The
arms extend outward from the nucleus and are composed of stars, dust, and gas.
Population I stars are found in the arms and Population II in the nucleus, between arms
and probably in the halo. Population I are considered younger stars. There are 2 distinct
classes of spirals:
 Normal Spiral
-Several arms radiate from center (top view)
 Barred Spiral
-Have elongated centers, called bars, with arms, coming from each end.

Irregular Galaxies-No regular shape, includes nebulas.

Elliptical galaxies seem to be more common than spiral galaxies, and tend to be
composed of older stars. However, spiral galaxies contain more than 75% of the bright
stars observed in the Observable Universe. Irregular galaxies are rare, accounting for
only 3% of known galaxies. There is some evidence that galaxies evolve in shape through
time. However, this idea is currently hypothetical; given the short time span we have been
able to observe galaxies.
Galaxy Identification

Section one - questions

Answer the following questions:

1. What is a galaxy?

A galaxy is a large collection of stars, dust, and nebulae (gas clouds).

2. What holds a galaxy together?

Galaxies are held together by gravity. Although it is technically the weakest of the 4
forces gravity holds solar systems and galaxies together. It is also the the force that
causes fusion in stars so it is the source of life.

3.What is a Light Year? How fast does light travel?

A light year is the distance that light travels in one year, about 9.4 trillion km. The
speed of light in a vacuum is 299,792 kilometers per second.

4. How many different types of galaxies are there and who classified them?

Edwin Hubble, a well known astronomer, classified galaxies into three major groups,
ellipsoidal (elliptical), spiral, and irregular

5.Where are galaxies found? How close is a galaxy to another?

We can found galaxies all over the Universe but the distance between galaxies is
immense. The closest known galaxy to the Milky Way is the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy
(Canis Major Overdensity) which is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This stellar
formation is about 25,000 light years from our solar system.

6.Edwin Hubble classified galaxies according to their ?

Edwin Hubble classified galaxies based on their shape and origin.

7.What type of galaxy is the Milky Way?

The Milky Way is a Barred Spiral who have elongated centers, called bars, with arms,
coming from each end

8.Durring 1944, Walter Baade categorized groups of stars within the Milky Way intro
stellar population. Which are the two main division?

The two main division of stars from Milky Way and other galaxies are Population I and
Population II.

9.Which are the rarest galaxies from the Observable Universe?

The rarest galaxies are Irregular galaxies, accounting for only 3% of known galaxies.

10. Which are the most common galaxies from the Observable Universe?

The most common galaxies are Elliptical galaxies who seem to be more common than spiral
galaxies.

11. From your knowledge, what is Observable Universe?

The Observable Universe is what, in theory, can be seen from Earth.

12.Why we can`t see if galaxies evolve in shape through time?

We cant`see this because of the short time span we have been able to observe galaxies
Section Two - Vocabulary

Match the word on the left with the definition on the right.

____ bulge e. older stars

____ light year g. a spheroidal aggregation of stars,dust and gas that

surrounds the Galaxy.
____ nebula c. younger stars

____ Population II b. a large cloud of gas or dust in space

____ Population I a. the distance that light travels in one year,

____ halo d. a type of astronomical object consisting of a luminous

spheroid of plasma held together by gravity

____star f. galaxy’s nucleus

Source: https://lco.global/spacebook/galaxy-classification/