Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
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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. |
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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...
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