Spiral galaxies have a central bulge due to the accumulation of stars, gas, and dust, which results from gravitational interactions and the merging of smaller galaxies over time. The spiral arms are created by density waves that travel through the galaxy, causing regions of higher density where stars are formed. These arms are often sites of active star formation, making them appear bright and prominent against the darker regions of the galaxy. The combination of the bulge and spiral structure gives these galaxies their characteristic appearance.
In the context of spiral galaxies, the letters "a," "b," and "c" are used to classify the tightness of the spiral arms and the size of the central bulge. Type "a" galaxies have tightly wound arms and a large bulge, while type "b" galaxies have moderately wound arms and a medium-sized bulge. Type "c" galaxies feature loosely wound arms and a smaller bulge. This classification helps astronomers understand the structure and evolutionary stage of different spiral galaxies.
Spiral galaxies are named for the (usually two armed) spiral structures that extend from the centre into the disk.The spiral arms are sites of ongoing star formation and are brighter than the surrounding disk because of the young, hot stars.See related link for a pictorial representation.
A spiral galaxy looks like a flat, rotating disk with spiral arms extending outwards from a central bulge. Its structure differs from other types of galaxies, like elliptical or irregular galaxies, because it has a defined disk shape with spiral arms, while other galaxies may have more irregular or rounded shapes.
This type of galaxy is categorized as a spiral galaxy. The bulge at the center contains older stars, while the spiral arms consist of younger stars and gas and dust regions where new star formation occurs. The Milky Way is an example of a galaxy with a bulge and spiral arms.
Spiral arms are parts of galaxies - both the galaxies and their spiral arms are huge, by our everyday standards. Spiral arms basically contain most of what the galaxies contain - including stars, dust, gas.
The Milky Way galaxy has several spiral arms that extend from a central core. While the core itself contains a supermassive black hole, known as Sagittarius A*, the arms do not specifically extend from the black hole but rather spiral out from the central bulge of the galaxy.
Spherical galaxies are characterized by their round shape and lack of distinct spiral arms. They contain mostly older stars and have a dense central bulge. These galaxies are often found in clusters and have a more uniform distribution of stars compared to spiral galaxies.
In spiral arms of spiral galaxies
A galaxy that lacks a regular shape is called an irregular galaxy. Irregular galaxies do not have distinct spiral arms or a central bulge like spiral or elliptical galaxies. They often have a chaotic appearance with no clear structure.
Arms of spiral galaxies.
Arms
Spiral galaxies have a clearly defined disk component characterized by spiral arms, while lenticular galaxies have a disk without prominent spiral arms. Irregular galaxies may also have a disk component, but it is usually less organized than in spiral galaxies.