Elliptical Galaxies

Elliptical galaxies are one of the three main types of galaxies, along with spiral and irregular galaxies. They are characterized by their smooth, featureless appearance and lack of spiral arms. Elliptical galaxies are typically composed of older stars, with little to no ongoing star formation. They range in size from small dwarf galaxies to massive giants, and can be found in both dense galaxy clusters and isolated regions of space. The shape of an elliptical galaxy is described by its ellipticity, which ranges from nearly spherical (E0) to highly elongated (E7). The stars in elliptical galaxies follow random orbits, rather than the organized rotation seen in spiral galaxies. The origin of elliptical galaxies is still not fully understood, but they are thought to form through a variety of processes, including mergers with other galaxies and the accretion of gas from the surrounding environment.
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