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Chapter 24: Problem 10

Why do astronomers suspect that the Hubble tuning fork diagram does not depict the evolutionary sequence of galaxies?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Astronomers suspect that the Hubble Tuning Fork Diagram does not depict the evolutionary sequence of galaxies accurately because it oversimplifies galaxy evolution. It discounts factors like galaxy mergers and interactions and assumes a linear progression from elliptical galaxies to spiral galaxies that is not supported by observational evidence.

Step by step solution

01

Interpretation of Hubble Tuning Fork Diagram

Hubble Tuning Fork Diagram represents the classification of galaxies. On the left of the diagram are elliptical galaxies, characterized by their round shape and composed mostly of old stars. On the right are spiral galaxies, which have a flat, disk-like structure with arms that wind towards a central bulge. The lenticular galaxies are a transition between these two and are placed in the center of the 'fork'.
02

Hubble's Initial Assumption

Hubble initially proposed that galaxies may evolve along the 'tuning fork' from elliptical to spiral due to several observational coincidences: elliptical galaxies have predominantly older stars and are found typically in denser parts of the universe. In contrast, spiral galaxies are richer in gas and have higher rates of star formation; thus, they were thought to be younger.
03

Emerging Contradictions

However, further observations and research suggested contradictions to this theory. For example, it was later discovered that spiral galaxies could not evolve from elliptical galaxies because they have a higher angular momentum and different dynamics.
04

Current Understanding

Currently, most astronomers believe that the evolutionary sequence of galaxies may be more complicated than the simple linear progression suggested by the tuning fork diagram. The branching structure of the tuning fork diagram does not account for interactions between galaxies, like merging, that can significantly alter their structure and appearance.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

. Imagine your company, Astronomical Artistry, has been contracted by the local marching band to create a football halftime show about spiral galaxies. How exactly would you design the positions of the band members on the field to represent the different spiral galaxies of classes \(\mathrm{Sa}, \mathrm{Sb}\), and \(\mathrm{Sc}\) ? Create two columns on your paper by drawing a line from top to bottom, drawing sketches in the left-hand column and writing a description of each sketch in the right-hand column. Also include what the band's opening formation and final formation should be.

Explain why the dark matter in galaxy clusters could not be neutral hydrogen.

Why are Cepheid variable stars useful for finding the distances to galaxies? Are there any limitations on their use for this purpose?

Explain why the apparent shape of an elliptical galaxy may be quite different from its real shape.

What is the Hubble law? How can it be used to determine distances?
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