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Star
Most widely recognized astronomical objects, and represent the most fundamental building
blocks of galaxies. The age, distribution, and composition of the stars in a galaxy trace the
history, dynamics, and evolution of that galaxy.
Responsible for the manufacture and distribution of heavy elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and
oxygen, and their characteristics are intimately tied to the characteristics of the planetary systems
that may coalesce about them.
The study of the birth, life, and death of stars is central to the field of astronomy.
(https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/how-do-stars-form-and-evolve)
Example: Terzan 5
Terzan 5, which hosts the T5X2 system, is a dense globular star cluster located 25,000 light-years
away toward the constellation Sagittarius. Credit: ESA/Hubble and NASA
Heavily obscured globular cluster belonging to the bulge (the central star concentration) of the
Milky Way galaxy. It was one of six globulars discovered by French astronomer Agop Terzan in
1968 and was initially labeled Terzan 11.
19,000 light-years away from Earth.
Types of Galaxies
Elliptical
Spiral
Irregular
Elliptical Galaxy
Shaped like a spheroid or elongated sphere
The light is smooth, with surface brightness decreasing as you go father out from the center.
No particular axis of rotation
Example: Galaxy ESO 325-G004
Spiral Galaxy
Most common type in the universe
Three main components: a bulge, disk, and halo
Bulge a spherical structure found in the center of the galaxy
Contains older stars
The disk is made up of dust, gas, and younger stars. The disk forms arm structures.
The halo is a loose, spherical structure located around the bulge and some of the disk.
Contains old clusters of stars called the globular clusters.
Example: Milkyway Galaxy
Irregular Galaxy
No regular or symmetrical structure
Divided into two groups:
IrrI have HII regions, which are regions f elemental hydrogen gas, and many Population
I stars, which are young stars.
IrrII large amounts of dust that block most of the light from the stars, making it almost
impossible to see distinct stars in the galaxy.
Example: UKS 14
Sources:
http://www.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro201/galaxies/types.htm
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/universe/galaxies-article
https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/what-are-galaxies
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap121220.html
https://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/rxte-thermo.html
https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/how-do-stars-form-and-evolve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At0w3pnIVgc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VEs11K0ATk
http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/H/Hertzsprung-Russell+Diagram
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/stars/startypes.shtml