Galaxy morphology · E0–E7
Elliptical Galaxy
A smooth, featureless ellipsoid of mostly old stars, with little gas and little ongoing star formation. The largest ellipticals sit at the centres of galaxy clusters and are thought to be built by mergers.
Highlights
- ›Old stars, built by mergers
Examples & connections
Knowledge connections
- Associated withMessier 87
- Associated withGalaxy Evolution
- Associated withGalaxy Merger
- Associated withGalaxy Quenching
- Associated withSurface Brightness Fluctuations
- Associated withFaber–Jackson Relation
- Associated withGalaxy Morphology Classification
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.