Galaxies

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What is a galaxy?

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A huge system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravity.

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What are the three main types of galaxies?

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Spiral, elliptical, and irregular.

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What is a spiral galaxy?

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A type of galaxy characterized by its spiral arms that wind outward from the center.

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What is an elliptical galaxy?

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A type of galaxy that is shaped like an ellipse and has a smooth, featureless light profile.

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What is an irregular galaxy?

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A galaxy that does not have a distinct regular shape, often chaotic in appearance.

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What is the Milky Way?

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The galaxy that contains our solar system, classified as a barred spiral galaxy.

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What is the difference between a galaxy and a solar system?

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A galaxy is a large system of stars, gas, and dust, while a solar system consists of a star and the celestial bodies that orbit it.

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What role does gravity play in galaxies?

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Gravity holds the stars, gas, and dust together in a galaxy and governs their movements.

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What is the significance of dark matter in galaxies?

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Dark matter is an unseen substance that makes up a significant portion of a galaxy's mass and affects its gravitational pull.

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How do astronomers classify galaxies?

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Galaxies are classified based on their shape and structure: spiral, elliptical, and irregular.