Galaxies

Front

What is a galaxy?

Back

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

Front

What are the three main types of galaxies?

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The three main types of galaxies are Spiral, Elliptical, and Irregular.

Front

What is a Spiral galaxy?

Back

A Spiral galaxy is characterized by its spiral arms that wind outward from the center, containing stars, gas, and dust.

Front

What is an Elliptical galaxy?

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An Elliptical galaxy is shaped like a stretched-out sphere and contains older stars with little interstellar gas and dust.

Front

What is an Irregular galaxy?

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An Irregular galaxy does not have a distinct regular shape and often contains young stars and high amounts of gas and dust.

Front

How many stars are estimated to be in the Milky Way galaxy?

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The Milky Way galaxy is estimated to contain about 200 billion stars.

Front

Can we see all the stars in our galaxy? Why or why not?

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No, we cannot see all the stars in our galaxy because many are too far away.

Front

What is dark matter?

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Dark matter is a form of matter that does not emit light or energy, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects.

Front

What is the significance of the Hubble Space Telescope in studying galaxies?

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The Hubble Space Telescope has provided detailed images and data about distant galaxies, helping astronomers understand their formation and evolution.

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What is the difference between a star and a galaxy?

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A star is a luminous celestial body made of plasma, while a galaxy is a collection of billions of stars, along with gas and dust.