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How do I Identify Galaxies?

Our solar system is just one of millions of star systems within the Milky Way galaxy. In addition, the Milky Way is one of potentially millions of other galaxies present in the universe. Other named galaxies include the Andromeda Galaxy, Bode's Galaxy, the Cartwheel Galaxy and the Whirlpool Galaxy. Astronomers use galaxy morphological classification (based on shape) to place galaxies in different groups. Galaxy shape can also determine in what stage of its evolution it is in.

Things You'll Need

Telescope

Instructions

- 1
  Describe the general shape of the galaxy. There are elliptical galaxies, spiral galaxies, cluster galaxies and other shapes.
- 2
  Identify all of the galaxy's colors. Common colors are red, blue, and yellow. In cluster galaxies, which are made up of different groups of stars, there may be more than one color.
- 3
  Identify the direction of a spiral galaxy's spin. Choose from clockwise or anti-clockwise.
- 4
  Determine whether the spiral galaxy is barred or not. Barred galaxies are spiral galaxies that do not contain a round center, but a center that is oblong, like a bar.
- 5
  Determine whether the galaxy is a satellite galaxy. A satellite galaxy is similar to a moon orbiting a planet, in the fact that it orbits a larger galaxy. Gravity pulls the two galaxies together, but does not disrupt either of their star formations.
- 6
  Contact the Galaxy Zoo project to name a galaxy If it is determined that a new galaxy has been identified and not yet named.

Astronomy