Types of Galaxies
Which galaxies are typically older and contain little gas and dust?
How does the merging of galaxies lead to the creation of new star formations?
By adding more gas and dust to each galaxy, the gravity of existing stars will pull in this gas or dust, or it may combine with itself to create brand new stars.
What is the main source of light within galaxies?
Where is our solar system located in the Milky Way?
In one of the spiral arms, called Orion
What is the name of the galaxy that will merge with the Milky Way in approximately 3-4 billion years?
Andromeda Galaxy or M31
What type of galaxy is the Milky Way?
Spiral
What exists at the center of every large galaxy?
William Herschel built larger telescopes and observed faint, fuzzy patches of light, which he initially called what?
Nebulae
What is the name of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy?
Sagittarius A*
What is a galaxy cluster?
A group of galaxies close together whose gravitational forces have pulled them closer to one another.
What is the most common type of galaxy in the universe?
Spiral galaxy
How do galactic collisions and mergers typically affect the involved galaxies?
A) They combine them into larger structures and can trigger star formation
B) They separate them further apart
C) They cause the galaxies to dissolve
D) They stop all star formation activity
A) They combine them into larger structures and can trigger star formation
What discovery did Charles Messier make in 1773?
A) The existence of dark matter
B) The Andromeda Galaxy
C) The first comet in our solar system
D) The theory of relativity
B) The Andromeda Galaxy
What is the diameter of the Milky Way (in light years)?
100,000 light years
What is a term we use to describe the universe's underlying structure and interactions among structures?
(HINT: think of an animal many people are afraid of)
Cosmic web
Irregular galaxies are known for:
A) Their massive size
B) Having very little star formation
C) A well-defined structure and shape
D) A lack of a particular shape, often appearing chaotic
D) A lack of a particular shape, often appearing chaotic
What is a protogalactic cloud?
A) A type of galaxy cluster
B) A mature galaxy
C) A massive, primordial cloud of gas and dust in the universe
D) A galaxy after a supernova
C) A massive, primordial cloud of gas and dust in the universe
What role does interstellar gas play in galaxies?
A) It serves as the primary building blocks for new star formation
B) It is solely responsible for creating planetary systems
C) It reflects light to create the illusion of starlight
D) It is the end product of supernova explosions
A) It serves as the primary building blocks for new star formation
What part of the Milky Way is where new stars are formed?
The spiral arms
How are galaxies primarily distributed throughout the universe?
Clustered together in groups and clusters
Name two of the distinct parts of spiral galaxies
Arms, bulge, halo, or disk
How do interactions between galaxies affect their structure and star formation?
When galaxies come close, their gravitational forces can pull at each other, sometimes merging together or forming new structures like spiral arms. These interactions often lead to bursts of new stars being created.
What role do stars play in a galaxy and how do they contribute to our understanding of the galaxy's properties?
Stars are the main source of light in galaxies, and they shine because of nuclear reactions in their cores. The light from all the stars adds up to make the galaxy visible and helps us figure out what it's made of and how it behaves.
Can you describe the main parts of the Milky Way Galaxy and what can be found in each part?
The Milky Way has a big, round center called the bulge where lots of stars are squished together. Around this is the disk, which is flat and spins around, filled with stars, planets, gas, and dust, and this is where our solar system lives. Farther out is the halo, a kind of bubble around the disk with older stars and mysterious dark matter.
How do the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds interact with the Milky Way?
The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are smaller galaxies that move around the Milky Way because its gravity pulls on them. As they move close to the Milky Way, they stir up clouds of gas which can make new stars and even change the shape of our galaxy a little.