M32, also known as Messier 32 or NGC 221, is a fascinating galaxy located in the constellation Andromeda. Spanning approximately 8,000 light-years in diameter, M32 is one of the many satellite galaxies orbiting the famous Andromeda Galaxy (M31). In this review, we will explore the characteristics of M32 and determine its classification among the different galaxy types, including spiral, barred spiral, elliptical, or irregular.
To determine the type of galaxy M32 belongs to, we must carefully analyze its structure, shape, and other defining features. Unlike spiral galaxies that exhibit prominent arms or barred spiral galaxies with a central bar structure, M32 possesses a distinct elliptical shape. Elliptical galaxies are characterized by their smooth, oval-shaped appearance and lack of defined spiral arms.
M32's elliptical shape is indicative of its classification as an elliptical galaxy. These galaxies are often found in dense regions of the universe, such as galactic clusters, where gravitational interactions between galaxies lead to mergers and the formation of elliptical shapes. M32's proximity to the massive Andromeda Galaxy also supports the idea that it is an elliptical galaxy, as these types of galaxies are frequently found in close proximity to larger galaxies
Why does an elliptical galaxy have few young stars?
There is very little gas and dust. Because there is not much gas and dust, there's not enough material to make new stars. In general, the stars in elliptical galaxies are old, red stars.
Why do elliptical galaxies contain only population II stars?
Elliptical galaxies, such as M87 (left), have very little gas and dust. Because gas and dust are found in the clouds that are the birthplaces of stars, we should expect to see very few young stars in elliptical galaxies. In fact, elliptical galaxies contain primarily old, red stars (also known as Population II stars).
Why are elliptical galaxies hot?
As a consequence of their formation and galactic dynamics, big elliptical galaxies are often found near the centers of groups and rich clusters. It is natural that the diffuse thermal gas contained in these hot stellar systems is also hot.
How does this difference explain the lack of hot young stars in elliptical galaxies?
How does this difference explain the lack of hot, young stars in elliptical galaxies. Like the halos of spiral galaxies, elliptical galaxies lack cool gas and so do not have much star formation. As a result, we see few hot, young stars in these galaxies.
Why do elliptical galaxies not produce new young stars?
Unlike spirals, elliptical galaxies usually contain little gas and dust and show very little organization or structure. The stars orbit around the core in random directions and are generally older than those in spiral galaxies since little of the gas needed to form new stars remains.
What type of galaxy is elliptical?
Elliptical galaxies have a smooth ellipsoidal or spherical appearance, and they have far less structure than spiral galaxies do. Elliptical galaxies are typically found in galaxy clusters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which galaxy shape is known for the smallest galaxies?
While large galaxies take on the shapes like elliptical and spiral, there is another group for small galaxies. These galaxies are known as dwarf galaxies.
Which of the following Hubble types is used for highly flattened elliptical galaxies?
Observed values range from E0 (circular cross section – a spherical galaxy) to E7 (the most flattened). E0 are considered 'early-type' ellipticals and E7 are 'late-type' ellipticals.
What Hubble classification would you assign to the galaxy M32?
M32 is a companion galaxy to the Milky Way Galaxy's nearest large-galaxy neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy (also known as M31). M32 is known as a dwarf elliptical galaxy because it is so small, only 2400 light years across (compared to the Milky Way's 100,000 light year diameter).
What class is the flattest of the elliptical galaxies?
In the Hubble classification, the roundest galaxies are labelled E0 and the flattest, E7. In the Hubble Classification scheme, elliptical galaxies are allocated a number from 0 to 7 indicating their ellipticity.
Is the most common galaxy elliptical or spiral?
Elliptical galaxies
Elliptical galaxies are the largest and most common galaxies observed. They make up about 20% of nearby galaxies. Irregular galaxies are just that: irregular.
FAQ
- What type of galaxy is most common elliptical irregular lens spiral?
- Elliptical galaxies range in size from giants, more massive than any spiral, down to dwarfs, with masses of only about 106MSun. Dwarf ellipticals are probably the most common type of galaxy in the nearby universe. A small percentage of galaxies with more disorganized shapes are classified as irregulars.
- What are the 3 most common shapes of galaxies?
- Galaxies are classified by shape. There are three general types: elliptical, spiral, and irregular. Perhaps the most familiar kind of galaxy are spiral galaxies. They have a distinctive shape with spiral arms in a relatively flat disk and a central "bulge".
- What are the 4 most common galaxies?
- The smallest of galaxies contain a “mere” few hundred million stars while the largest galaxies contain up to one hundred trillion stars! Scientists have been able to segment galaxies into 4 main types: spiral, elliptical, peculiar, and irregular.
- What is true of giant elliptical galaxies?
- Large elliptical galaxies typically have an extensive system of globular clusters. They generally have two distinct populations of globular clusters: one that is redder and metal-rich, and another that is bluer and metal-poor.
- What are 3 facts about elliptical galaxies?
- Follow along for some incredible facts about elliptical galaxies.
- They Are Largely Featureless.
- They Can Be the Biggest — or The Smallest.
- They're Harder to Spot Than Spiral Galaxies.
- They Might Form After a Collision.
- Yes, They Have Black Holes Too.
- They Tend to House Old Stars.
- They're Primarily Found in Clusters.
Which of the following types of galaxies is least common? elliptical irregular lens spiral
| What are the similarities and differences between elliptical and irregular galaxies? | As their name suggests, elliptical galaxies are round or oval, with stars distributed fairly uniformly throughout. They have a bulge and halo, like spiral galaxies, but don't have the flat disk of stars. The stars in ellipticals tend to be older. Irregular galaxies have no identifiable shape or structure to them. |
| What are the 4 distinguishing characteristics of elliptical galaxies? | There are four distinguishing characteristics of the ellipticals: (a) they have much more random star motion than orderly rotational motion (star orbits are aligned in a wide range of angles and have a wide range of eccentricities); (b) they have very little dust and gas left between the stars; (c) this means that they |
| Which are more common dwarf or giant elliptical galaxies? | The largest and rarest of these, called giant ellipticals, are about 300,000 light-years across. Astronomers theorize that these are formed by the mergers of smaller galaxies. Much more common are dwarf ellipticals, which are only a few thousand light-years wide. |
| Are nebulae often found in elliptical galaxies? | Dust and emission nebulae are not conspicuous in elliptical galaxies, but many do contain a small amount of interstellar matter. |
- Why are elliptical galaxies different from spiral galaxies?
- First, elliptical galaxies are characterized by a spherical or cucumber-like shape, while spiral galaxies have a central disk surrounded by spiral arms. Moreover, elliptical galaxies contain older, dimmer stars, while spiral galaxies are solar nurseries containing younger, brighter stars.
- What are elliptical galaxies missing that spirals have?
- Distributions of elliptical and disk galaxies This transforms spiral galaxies into elliptical galaxies – smooth galaxies with no apparent internal structure or spiral arms. By contrast, away from the Plane, galaxies can evolve in relative isolation, which helps them preserve their spiral structure.
- What do elliptical galaxies contain in contrast to spiral galaxies?
- Unlike spirals, elliptical galaxies usually contain little gas and dust and show very little organization or structure. The stars orbit around the core in random directions and are generally older than those in spiral galaxies since little of the gas needed to form new stars remains.
- Where are nebulae usually found?
- The space between the stars Where are nebulae? Nebulae exist in the space between the stars—also known as interstellar space. The closest known nebula to Earth is called the Helix Nebula. It is the remnant of a dying star—possibly one like the Sun.