Galaxies

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What is a galaxy?

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A galaxy is a massive system that consists of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter, bound together by gravity.

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What are the three main types of galaxies?

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The three main types of galaxies are spiral, elliptical, and irregular.

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What characterizes a spiral galaxy?

Back

A spiral galaxy has a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas, and dust, along with a central concentration of stars known as the bulge.

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What is an elliptical galaxy?

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An elliptical galaxy is characterized by an ellipsoidal shape, very little dust and gas, and mostly older stars.

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What defines an irregular galaxy?

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An irregular galaxy does not have a distinct regular shape and is often chaotic in appearance, containing young stars and high amounts of gas and dust.

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What is the Milky Way?

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The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System, classified as a barred spiral galaxy.

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What is the significance of dark matter in galaxies?

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Dark matter is a form of matter that does not emit light or energy, and it is believed to make up a significant portion of the total mass in galaxies, influencing their structure and formation.

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How do galaxies form?

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Galaxies form from the gravitational collapse of gas and dark matter in the early universe, leading to the coalescence of stars and other matter.

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What is the role of supermassive black holes in galaxies?

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Supermassive black holes are found at the centers of most galaxies and are thought to play a crucial role in their formation and evolution.

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What is the difference between a galaxy and a star cluster?

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A galaxy is a large system containing billions of stars, while a star cluster is a group of stars that are physically close to each other, often bound by gravity.