The galaxies They are vast star systems composed of billions of stars, along with interstellar gas, dust, and dark energy. These cosmic objects are incredibly diverse and fascinating, and astronomers have cataloged thousands of galaxies across the universe. But how are these galaxies named?
To name a galaxy, astronomers use a combination of different classification systems. One of the most common systems is the Messier catalogue, created by the French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. In this catalog, galaxies are identified by a number preceded by the letter «M.» For example, the famous Andromeda galaxy is known as M31.
Another popular nomenclature system is the New General Catalog (NGC), developed by astronomer John Louis Emil Dreyer in the 19th century. In this catalog, galaxies are designated by a number preceded by the letters «NGC.» For example, the Whirlpool Galaxy is known as NGC 5194.
In addition to these classification systems, there are other catalogs and systems used by different astronomers and research teams around the world. For example, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) catalog assigns alphanumeric identifiers to galaxies, such as SDSS J074539.33 + 354902.8.
It is important to note that many of these galaxy names are technical and not very easy for the general public to remember or pronounce. However, there are also galaxies that have received more descriptive and poetic names. For example, the Sombrero galaxy, which has a distinctive shape resembling a Mexican hat, or the so-called Black Eye galaxy, known for its peculiar appearance.
In short, galaxies are named through different classification systems, such as the Messier catalog and the NGC catalog. These names can be technical or more descriptive, depending on the system used. However, regardless of the name assigned, all galaxies represent cosmic wonders that allow us to explore and better understand the vast universe around us.
What are the 5 galaxies called?
The galaxies They are large groupings of stars, planets, gas and dust that are held together by the force of gravity. There are billions of galaxies in the universe, each with unique characteristics and different names. In this text, we are going to talk about the names of the 5 best-known galaxies.
The Milky Way It is the galaxy in which our solar system is located. Its name comes from the Latin «via lactea», which means «way of milk». This name is due to its appearance, since from Earth it looks like a luminous band of stars in the night sky.
Other galaxy It is quite well known Andromeda. It is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and can be observed with the naked eye in the sky of the northern hemisphere. Its name comes from Greek mythology, in which Andromeda was a princess who was rescued by Perseus.
The Sombrero Galaxy, also known as M104 or NGC 4594, is a spiral galaxy located about 50 million light years from Earth. Its name is due to its peculiar shape, which resembles a Mexican hat. It is one of the most photographed galaxies due to its unique appearance.
The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as M51 or NGC 5194, is a spiral galaxy located about 30 million light years from Earth. Its name is due to its appearance, which resembles a whirlpool or whirlwind. It is considered an interactive galaxy, as it is in the process of absorbing a smaller galaxy.
Lastly, we will mention The Cigar Galaxy, also known as M82 or NGC 3034. This irregular galaxy is located about 12 million light years from Earth. Its name is due to its long and narrow shape, which looks like a cigar in space. It is known for its high rate of star formation.
What are the 40 galaxies called?
Galaxies are huge structures containing billions of stars, planets, gas and cosmic dust. Millions of galaxies are known in our universe, and each of them has unique characteristics.
But what are the names of the 40 galaxies best known and studied? Below, we will mention some of them:
Milky Way: The Milky Way is the galaxy in which our solar system is located. It is a barred spiral, with a central bulb and spiral arms extending from its core.
Andromeda galaxy: Also known as Messier 31, it is the closest galaxy to the Milky Way. It is a giant spiral galaxy with well-defined spiral arms and a bright core.
Hat: The Sombrero galaxy, also known as Messier 104, is a lenticular galaxy located about 30 million light years away. Its distinctive feature is its luminous core and a hat-shaped band of cosmic dust.
Triangle Galaxy: Also known as Messier 33, it is a spiral galaxy located about 3 million light years away. It is visible to the naked eye in dark skies and its shape is similar to that of a spiral with well-defined arms.
These are just some of the 40 galaxies best known and studied. Each of them has unique characteristics and offers fascinating research opportunities for astronomers.
What are the names of the oldest galaxies?
The oldest galaxies, also known as primordial galaxies, have names that reflect their age and their importance in the study of the Universe. These galaxies formed in the first billion years after the Big Bang and contain crucial information about the evolution of the cosmos.
One of the oldest galaxies currently known is GN-z11. This galaxy was discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2016 and is estimated to have formed approximately 400 million years after the Big Bang. GN-z11 is located at a distance of approximately 13.4 billion light years from Earth.
Another example of an ancient galaxy is UDFj-39546284, discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2011. This galaxy, which formed about 600 million years ago after the Big Bang, is considered one of the most distant galaxies known so far, since it is located at a distance approximately 13.2 billion light years away.
In addition to GN-z11 and UDFj-39546284, there are many other ancient galaxies whose name has not yet been definitively established. However, astronomers use different conventions to name them, such as referring to them by their approximate distance or by their position in the sky.
In summary, the oldest galaxies They have names that reflect their antiquity and their importance in the study of the Universe. Galaxies such as GN-z11 and UDFj-39546284 represent examples of this type of galaxy, which formed in the first billion years after the Big Bang. Although there are still many ancient galaxies without definitive names, their study continues to provide valuable information about the evolution of the cosmos.
How many galaxies exist?
Currently, scientists estimate that there are around 200 billion galaxies in the observable universe.. These galaxies vary in shape, size and composition, but they are all massive groupings of stars, planets, gases and cosmic dust held together by gravity.
Galaxies are distributed in space in enormous conglomerates called galactic clusters, which in turn form superclusters and even larger structures. The Milky Way is one of these galaxies, and it is our home in the cosmos. Understanding the number of galaxies that exist is essential to understanding how the universe is organized and evolves.
The study of galaxies has been an exciting and challenging task for astronomers. Using powerful telescopes, they have managed to identify and classify different types of galaxies: elliptical, spiral, irregular and dwarf. Each type of galaxy has unique characteristics and propertiesallowing us to learn more about the diversity of the universe.
Over the years, technological advances and new findings have led to a constant revision of the estimate of the number of galaxies. Scientists believe there are still many more galaxies that we have not yet discovered. This is mainly because light from some galaxies can take thousands, millions, or even billions of years to reach us, making it difficult to detect distant galaxies.
In summary, although we do not have a precise figure, the current estimate of about 200 billion galaxies in the observable universe is amazing. It shows us the immensity and diversity of the cosmos, and makes us reflect on our position in it. As we advance in space exploration and our technical capabilities, we are sure to discover even more fascinating and unknown galaxies.