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Chapter 19: Problem 8

For a galaxy, the term morphology refers to a. its shape. b. its evolution over time. c. the motion of its stars. d. its overall density.

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. its shape.

Step by step solution

01

- Define Morphology

Morphology in astronomy refers to the study of the structure and form of celestial objects, such as galaxies.
02

- Analyze the Options

Look at the provided options: a) shape, b) evolution over time, c) motion of its stars, d) overall density. Compare each to the definition from Step 1.
03

- Match Definition

The definition of morphology matches directly with option a) its shape. The other options (b, c, and d) pertain to different aspects of galaxies.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

galaxy shape
When we talk about the shape of a galaxy, we are referring to its structure and form. This is a simple yet crucial concept in understanding galaxies.

Galaxies come in various shapes, primarily classified into three main types:
  • **Spiral Galaxies**: These have a flat, rotating disk with arms that spiral outward. They often have a central bulge filled with older stars.
  • **Elliptical Galaxies**: These appear more rounded or elongated. They lack the distinct arms of spiral galaxies and are composed mainly of older stars.
  • **Irregular Galaxies**: These do not fit neatly into the other categories. They often have a chaotic appearance with no defined shape.

Understanding a galaxy's shape helps astronomers determine other attributes, such as its age and star formation history. For instance, spiral galaxies typically have significant star formation activity, whereas elliptical galaxies have stars that are older.

Identifying these galaxy shapes is a fundamental part of the study of astronomy and helps us decode the vast universe.
astronomical structures
Astronomical structures are the large-scale entities found in our universe. These include everything from planets and stars to galaxies and galaxy clusters.

The term refers to the organization and arrangement of material in space. Some important astronomical structures are:
  • **Stars and Star Systems**: Individual stars and their planetary systems, like our own Solar System.
  • **Galaxies**: Massive systems of stars, stellar remnants, gas, dust, and dark matter, bound together by gravity.
  • **Galaxy Clusters**: These are groups of galaxies held together by gravitational attraction. They can contain hundreds or even thousands of galaxies.
  • **Superclusters**: These are even larger than galaxy clusters and consist of many galaxies and galaxy clusters. Our Milky Way is part of the Virgo Supercluster.

Understanding these structures is crucial for comprehending the universe's composition and evolution. They reveal information about the forces at play and the history of cosmic formation.
celestial morphology
Celestial morphology involves the study of the shapes and structures of various systems and objects in space.

This branch of astronomy focuses on understanding the form and formation of these objects. Key aspects include:
  • **Galaxies**: As mentioned, studying galaxy shapes (morphology) provides insight into their characteristics and developmental history.
  • **Nebulae**: These are vast clouds of gas and dust in space, often seen as the birthplace of stars. They come in different shapes and sizes, such as planetary nebulae and supernova remnants.
  • **Stellar Morphology**: This involves studying the structure of stars, from their core to their surface layers. Specific classifications like red giants or white dwarfs describe their stage in the stellar lifecycle.
  • **Planetary Systems**: The arrangement of planets, moons, and other objects around a star. The shape and placement of these systems tell us a lot about their history and composition.

Celestial morphology helps us understand the vast array of objects we see in the night sky. By studying their shapes and structures, astronomers can predict future changes and gain deeper insights into the universe's workings.

Whether looking at galaxies or nebulae, celestial morphology is a fascinating field that opens up countless possibilities for discovery.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Describe what astronomers think is happening at the center of a galaxy that contains an AGN.

The quasar \(3 \mathrm{C} 273\) has a luminosity of \(10^{12} L_{\text {sun }}\). Assuming that the total luminosity of a large galaxy, such as the Andromeda Galaxy, is 10 billion times that of the Sun, compare the luminosity of \(3 \mathrm{C} 273\) with that of the entire Andromeda Galaxy.

Go to the Astronomy Picture of the Day app or website (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod) and look at some recent pictures of galaxies. In each case, consider the following questions: Was the picture taken from a large or small telescope; from the ground or from space? Are galaxies in the image face on, edge on, or at an angle? What wavelengths were used for making the image? Are any of the colors "false colors"? If the picture is a combination of images from several telescopes, what do the different colors indicate?

Astronomers determine the radius of an AGN by measuring a. how much light comes from it. b. how hard it pulls on stars nearby. c. how quickly its light varies. d. how quickly it rotates.

a. Go to the website for the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (http://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov). Scroll down to click on “Full News Archive" and look for a story about dark matter. What has this telescope discovered about dark matter? b. Go to the website for the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (http://ams02.org), a particle physics detector located on the International Space Station to search for dark matter, including WIMPs. What are the latest results?
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