Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Concept explainers
Textbook Question
Chapter 26, Problem 1E
Describe the main distinguishing features of spiral, elliptical, and irregular galaxies.
Expert Solution & Answer
To determine
The differences between spiral, elliptical and irregular galaxies.
Explanation of Solution
The differences between spiral, elliptical and irregular galaxies are stated in the table below.
Characteristics | Spiral galaxy | Elliptical galaxy | Irregular galaxy |
Mass | The mass of the spiral galaxy is to times of the mass of the sun. | The mass of the elliptical galaxy is to times of the mass of the sun. | The mass of the irregular galaxy is to times of the mass of the sun. |
Diameter | The diameter of the spiral galaxy is to . | The diameter of the elliptical galaxy is to . | The diameter of the irregular galaxy is to . |
Luminosity | The luminosity of the spiral galaxy is to times of the luminosity of the sun. | The luminosity of the elliptical galaxy is to times of the luminosity of the sun. | The luminosity of the irregular galaxy is to times of the luminosity of the sun. |
Stars | The spiral galaxy consists of a large population of old and young stars. | The elliptical galaxy consists of a large population of old stars. | The irregular galaxy consists of a large population of old and young stars. |
Interstellar material | The spiral galaxy consists of gas and dust as interstellar material. | The elliptical galaxy consists of a little amount of gas and almost no dust as interstellar material. | The irregular galaxy consists of gas and dust as interstellar material |
Mass to light ratio in the visible part | The mass to light ratio in the visible part of the spiral galaxy is 2 to 10. | The mass to light ratio in the visible part of the elliptical galaxy is 10 to 20. | The mass to light ratio in the visible part of an irregular galaxy is 1 to 10. |
Mass to light ratio for galaxy | The mass to light ratio for the spiral galaxy is 100. | The mass to light ratio for the elliptical galaxy is 100. | The mass to light ratio for the irregular galaxy is not defined. |
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Describe the age and temperature of stars that make up spiral galaxies and their location.
How astronomers determine the distance of a galaxy? Explain.
Explain why galaxies can have different shapes. please explain briefly and clearly
Chapter 26 Solutions
Astronomy
Ch. 26 - Describe the main distinguishing features of...Ch. 26 - Why did it take so long for the existence of other...Ch. 26 - Explain what the mass-to-light ratio is and why it...Ch. 26 - If we now realize dwarf ellipticals are the most...Ch. 26 - What are the two best ways to measure the distance...Ch. 26 - What are the two best ways to measure the distance...Ch. 26 - Why is Hubble’s law considered one of the most...Ch. 26 - What does it mean to say that the universe is...Ch. 26 - Was Hubble’s original estimate of the distance to...Ch. 26 - Does an elliptical galaxy rotate like a spiral...
Ch. 26 - Why does the disk of a spiral galaxy appear dark...Ch. 26 - What causes the largest mass-to-light ratio: gas...Ch. 26 - What is the most useful standard bulb method for...Ch. 26 - When comparing two isolated spiral galaxies that...Ch. 26 - If all distant galaxies are expanding away from...Ch. 26 - Is the Hubble constant actually constant?Ch. 26 - Where might the gas and dust (if any) in an...Ch. 26 - Why can we not determine distances to galaxies by...Ch. 26 - Which is redder-a spiral galaxy or an elliptical...Ch. 26 - Suppose the stars in an elliptical galaxy all...Ch. 26 - Starting with the determination of the size of...Ch. 26 - Suppose the Milky Way Galaxy were truly isolated...Ch. 26 - Suppose you were Hubble and Humason, working on...Ch. 26 - What does it mean if one elliptical galaxy has...Ch. 26 - Based on your analysis of galaxies in Table 26.1,...Ch. 26 - Can a higher mass-to-light ratio mean that there...Ch. 26 - According to Hubble’s law, what is the recessional...Ch. 26 - A cluster of galaxies is observed to have a...Ch. 26 - Suppose we could measure the distance to a galaxy...Ch. 26 - Calculate the mass-to-light ratio for a globular...Ch. 26 - Calculate the mass-to-light ratio for a luminous...
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Find more solutions based on key concepts
59. The two segments of the wire in Figure P22.59 have equal diameters and equal lengths but different resistiv...
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Edition)
Q21.17 In Example 21.1 (Section 21.3) we saw that the electric force between two ? particles is of the order of...
University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)
Cost of gasoline used in one year.
Glencoe Physical Science 2012 Student Edition (Glencoe Science) (McGraw-Hill Education)
Write an equation for the momentum of system C in terms of the momenta of its constituent bodies. Compare the m...
Tutorials in Introductory Physics
Using the definitions in Eqs. 1.1 and 1.4, and appropriate diagrams, show that the dot product and cross produc...
Introduction to Electrodynamics
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Similar questions
- What are the two best ways to measure the distance to a nearby spiral galaxy, and how would it be measured?arrow_forwardThe first clue that the Galaxy contains a lot of dark matter was the observation that the orbital velocities of stars did not decreases with increasing distance from the center of the Galaxy. Construct a rotation curve for the solar system by using the orbital velocities of the planets, which can be found in Appendix F. How does this curve differ from the rotation curve for the Galaxy? What does it tell you about where most of the mass in the solar system is concentrated?arrow_forwardHow many galaxies like our own would it take if they were placed edge-to-edge to reach the nearest galaxy? (Hint: See Problems 11 and 12.)arrow_forward
- The dwarf galaxy in Sagittarius is the one closest to the Milky Way, yet it was discovered only in 1994. Can you think of a reason it was not discovered earlier? (Hint: Think about what else is in its constellation.)arrow_forwardWhat is the most useful standard bulb method for determining distances to galaxies?arrow_forwardDescribe the evolution of an elliptical galaxy. How does the evolution of a spiral galaxy differ from that of an elliptical?arrow_forward
- Starting with the determination of the size of Earth, outline a sequence of steps necessary to obtain the distance to a remote cluster of galaxies. (Hint: Review the chapter on Celestial Distances.)arrow_forwardBased on your analysis of galaxies in Table 26.1, is there a correlation between the population of stars and the quantity of gas or dust? Explain why this might be.arrow_forwardWhich one of these types of galaxies do you expect to have the largest star formation activity? Select one: ○ a. E7 ○ b. Sc ○ c. Sa ○ d. Sbarrow_forward
- Each point on the above diagram shows the line-of-sight recession velocity versus distance for a number of distant galaxies. Describe how the recession velocities of galaxies are measured by astronomers. Explain the different techniques used by astronomers to measure the distances to galaxies, and describe how these methods are used to construct the distance ladder.arrow_forwardHow do we know there are supermassive black holes driving active galaxies? a. The cores fluctuate over short periods of time, suggesting a small size. b. The gas near the core is moving very rapidly, suggesting high mass. c. The spectra are dominantly in the Balmer region, suggesting they are made of hydrogen. d. both a and b e. both a and carrow_forwardIn this picture shown, the differences of light spectra of different galaxies compared to a laboratory reference to uses as comparison, or control group. Describe the differences between nearby stars and galaxies compared to distant stars and galaxies by using the spectral linesarrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
- AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9781938168284Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. WolffPublisher:OpenStaxStars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399944Author:Michael A. SeedsPublisher:Cengage LearningHorizons: Exploring the Universe (MindTap Course ...PhysicsISBN:9781305960961Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana BackmanPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Stars and GalaxiesPhysicsISBN:9781305120785Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana BackmanPublisher:Cengage LearningFoundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399920Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana BackmanPublisher:Cengage Learning
Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:9781938168284
Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher:OpenStax
Stars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399944
Author:Michael A. Seeds
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Horizons: Exploring the Universe (MindTap Course ...
Physics
ISBN:9781305960961
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Stars and Galaxies
Physics
ISBN:9781305120785
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399920
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
General Relativity: The Curvature of Spacetime; Author: Professor Dave Explains;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7V3koyL7Mc;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY