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 Galaxies, Irregular Galaxies, and Elliptical Galaxies.

Front

What characterizes an elliptical galaxy?

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An elliptical galaxy has few young stars, little gas or dust, and lacks spiral arms.

Front

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.

Front

What is an irregular galaxy?

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An irregular galaxy does not have a distinct regular shape and is often chaotic in appearance, containing a mix of young and old stars.

Front

What force pulls stars together in galaxies?

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Gravity is the force that pulls clusters of stars together in most galaxies.

Front

What is the Milky Way?

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

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What is the difference between a barred spiral galaxy and a regular spiral galaxy?

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A barred spiral galaxy has a central bar-shaped structure made of stars, while a regular spiral galaxy does not.

Front

What is dark matter?

Back

Dark matter is a form of matter that does not emit light or energy, making it invisible, but it exerts gravitational effects on visible matter.

Front

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 creation of stars and clusters.