Organization of the universe
The Scale of the Universe Visual 1
The universe is big, really big There is 1 universe – it’s made of MANY galaxies grouped into clusters
Each cluster is made of many galaxies Galaxies contain tons of stars and gas.
Then SOME stars (about 1%) have planets making solar systems.
Galaxies Contain: Stars Planets Nebula gas Black holes Space
Galaxies There are 3 types of galaxies That come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes
Galactic Scale
Irregular Galaxies youngest galaxies contain a lot of nebula gas Many new and young stars No real shape
Irregular Galaxies
Spiral Galaxies ‘middle aged’ galaxies star formation still happening Old and young stars Have nebula clouds Have a bulge in the middle and a thin disk. Have “arms”
Spiral Galaxies
Elliptical Galaxies older galaxies very little gas/dust or star formation anymore Round or oval shape Mainly old stars Massive blob Brighter Have a bulge
Elliptical Galaxies
Images from the Hubble telescope
OUR GALAXY Is called the Milky Way Is a spiral galaxy has a diameter of about 100,000 light-years. And about 100 billion stars OUR solar system lies about halfway out one of the arms (25,000 light-years from the center).