following are a number of distinguishing characteristics of spiral and elliptical galaxies. match each characteristic to the appropriate galaxy type.
Distinguishing Characteristics of Spiral and Elliptical Galaxies:
1. Shape:
- Spiral Galaxy: Spiral galaxies have a flattened, spinning disc shape with arms that spiral outward from the center.
- Elliptical Galaxy: Elliptical galaxies are shaped like a three-dimensional ellipse or an elongated sphere.
2. Size:
- Spiral Galaxy: Generally, spiral galaxies are medium to large in size.
- Elliptical Galaxy: These galaxies come in a wide range of sizes, from small to extremely large.
3. Aging Population:
- Spiral Galaxy: Spiral galaxies have a younger population of stars, gas, and dust.
- Elliptical Galaxy: Elliptical galaxies contain older stars and have very little gas and dust, indicating an older population.
4. Movement of Stars:
- Spiral Galaxy: Stars in spiral galaxies move in both circular and radial motions, along with the rotation of the galaxy. The stars in the arms move at different speeds.
- Elliptical Galaxy: The stars in elliptical galaxies move in a more randomized pattern, without a preferred direction of rotation.
5. Star Formation:
- Spiral Galaxy: Spiral galaxies are active in forming new stars from the gas and dust present in their arms.
- Elliptical Galaxy: Elliptical galaxies have very little ongoing star formation and lack the raw materials needed to form new stars.
6. Central Bulge:
- Spiral Galaxy: Spiral galaxies have a central bulge, but it is less dominant compared to the arms.
- Elliptical Galaxy: Elliptical galaxies have a prominent central bulge and do not have well-defined arms or disks.
7. Color:
- Spiral Galaxy: Spiral galaxies tend to have blue arms due to the presence of hot, young stars and pinkish hues from ionized hydrogen regions.
- Elliptical Galaxy: Elliptical galaxies appear more reddish or yellowish due to the older and cooler stars dominating their structure.
By matching these characteristics to the appropriate galaxy type, we can better understand the distinct features and behavior of spiral and elliptical galaxies.