Galaxy

Overview

A galaxy is a vast collection of stars and solar systems, as well as other matter such as gas and dust. Gravitational pull attracts all of this mass together to form a galaxy. Galaxies can be contained within galaxy groups or galaxy clusters.

Types of Galaxies

The three most common types of galaxies are spiral galaxies, elliptical galaxies, and irregular galaxies.

Spiral galaxies are defined by their spiral-like shape, with spiral arms on the outside. They also have a bright central bulge, where there is a large concentration of stars. Spiral galaxies are the most common kind of galaxy in our universe.

Elliptical galaxies are defined by their circular or oval shape. These galaxies have less organization than spiral galaxies, and contain a fewer amount of gas and dust. Elliptical galaxies are less common than spiral galaxies.

Irregular galaxies are defined by their strange shapes. Some irregular galaxies are formed when two galaxies collide, resulting in its peculiar shape. Irregular galaxies can also contain a large amount of gas and dust.