Module 05 – A Universe of Galaxies
Edwin Hubble’s observations of the Andromeda “nebula” in 1924, using the then new 100 inch telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory, lead to the understanding that the Milky Way was not the only galaxy, but one of a countless large groups of stars in our Universe. Within this new field of astronomy, Hubble devised a classification system for galaxies based on their observed shape and structure. In this laboratory exercise, you will use Stellarium to observe a number of galaxies and attempt to classify them using Hubble’s system.
Background Question – Describe the major Hubble galaxy classifications and how they are organized on Hubble’s “turning fork”.
Object: Explain the purpose of this laboratory assignment in your own words. What do you think you will accomplish or learn from this exercise?
Hypothesis: Write a simple hypothesis connected to observed properties of galaxies that you will be able to test using the Stellarium software (for example, most galaxies are spiral in shape like our Milky Way).
Procedure
Q1: From the list of galaxies given, did you find more of classification group then the other?
Q2: Did you observe any spiral galaxies with a bar structure?
Q3: Where all the elliptical galaxies all the same exact shape?
Q3: Did you notice a difference in general color between elliptical and spiral galaxies?
Q4: Which classification group showed evidence of ongoing star formation (visible new O and B blue stars)?
Conclusion: In 1-2 paragraphs, explain if your observations and data support or conflict with your hypothesis and if you have met your assignment objective. Was there any portion of the assignment that was particularly interesting or difficult?
Galaxy |
Classification Type |
Interesting Features |
Andromeda |
||
M33 |
||
LMC |
||
SMC |
||
M51 |
||
M58 |
||
M60 |
||
M63 |
||
M81 |
||
M82 |
||
M86 |
||
M87 |
||
M88 |
||
M90 |
||
M91 |
||
M94 |
||
M99 |
||
M100 |
||
M102 |
||
M106 |
||
M109 |
Hi there! Click one of our representatives below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.