What are Elliptical Galaxies?
🌌 Elliptical galaxies are a type of galaxy with an approximately ellipsoidal shape and a smooth, nearly featureless brightness profile. They are typically older and have less interstellar matter compared to their spiral counterparts.
Characteristics
- Lack of structure: Unlike spiral galaxies, elliptical galaxies lack distinct features like arms or a disk.
- Old stars: The majority of stars in these galaxies are old, giving them a reddish hue due to the abundance of red giants.
- Sizes vary: They can range from dwarf varieties to super-giants containing trillions of stars.
Famous Elliptical Galaxies
Some well-known elliptical galaxies include:
- M87 in the Virgo Cluster
- NGC 5128 (also known as Centaurus A)
- M49 and M60