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Chapter 24: Problem 6

What is the Hubble classification scheme? Which category includes the largest galaxies? Which includes the smallest? Which category of galaxy is the most common?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Hubble classification scheme categorizes galaxies as Elliptical (E), Lenticular (S0), Spiral (SA, SB, SAB, SB - early, intermediate, or late), or Irregular (Irr). The largest galaxies are generally Elliptical (E) and the smallest galaxies are typically Irregular (Irr). The most common type of galaxy is the Spiral galaxy.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Hubble classification scheme

The Hubble classification scheme is a system used to classify galaxies based on their appearance in visible light. \[ \text{The classifications are:} \]- Elliptical galaxies (E)- Lenticular galaxies (S0)- Spiral galaxies, further divided into spiral (SA, SB) and barred spiral (SAB, SB), and each of these divided into 'early-type -a', 'intermediate -b', or 'late -c'- Irregular galaxies (Irr)
02

Categorizing by Size

Based on the Hubble classification scheme, the largest galaxies are giant elliptical galaxies (E), these can contain over a trillion stars and extend over thousands of light years in diameter. The smallest galaxies according to the classification scheme are typically the irregular galaxies (Irr), which are smaller and don't have a defined structure.
03

Identifying the Most Common Type

In terms of sheer numbers, spiral galaxies are the most common galaxy in the universe. They are characterized by their thin, rotating disks that contain stars, dust, and gas, and a central concentration of stars known as the bulge.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

On what grounds do astronomers think that in the past, spiral galaxies were more numerous in rich clusters than they are today? What could account for this excess of spiral galaxies in the past?

Are any galaxies besides our own visible with the naked eye from Earth? If so, which one(s)?

How might you determine what part of a galaxy's redshift is caused by the galaxy's orbital motion about the center of mass of its cluster?

The galaxy RD1 has a redshift of \(z=5.34\). (a) Determine its recessional velocity \(v\) in \(\mathrm{km} / \mathrm{s}\) and as a fraction of the speed of light. (b) What recessional velocity would you have calculated if you had erroneously used the low-speed formula relating \(z\) and \(v\) ? Would using this formula have been a small or large error? (c) According to the Hubble law, what is the distance from Earth to RD1? Use \(H_{0}=73 \mathrm{~km} / \mathrm{s} / \mathrm{Mpc}\) for the Hubble constant, and give your answer in both megaparsecs and light-years.

How did the discovery of the Hubble Law reinforce the idea that the spiral "nebulae" could not be part of the Milky Way?
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