Galaxy Classification
The Cartwheel Galaxy
© STSci (HST/NASA)
Astronomers divide the galaxies up into groups that look similar. This is called galaxy classification.
Here are some examples of each type or class
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A Spiral galaxy
See the bright central "bulge" with the long "arms" wrapped around it. These galaxies are very thin and almost disappear when seen from the edge. |
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A Barred Spiral galaxy
Very like a spiral galaxy, but the "arms" are not stuck right onto the "bulge" but to the ends of a bar through the middle. |
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An Elliptical Galaxy
Elliptical galaxies are very big and fuzzy. Unlike Spiral Galaxies, they look almost the same from all directions. |
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An Irregular galaxy
A small number of galaxies do not look like any of the other types. These are often random and messy. They are called irregular or peculiar galaxies. |
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