Galaxies are perhaps one of the most attractive deep-sky objects to observe and photograph. They represent massive collections of dust, gas
and countless billions of stars and are best described as islands of space matter across the universe. They are characterized as being either
spiral or elliptical in nature and usually have a bright central core. Equally stunning to observe (with large-aperture telescopes) and image
are galaxy clusters which represent collections of gravitationally-bound groups of galaxies whose members number from tens to thousands and
which are classified on the basis of their richness (ie. number of galaxy members), shape (spherical, flat or irregular) and content (spiral
or elliptical). Charles Messier's list of deep-sky celestial gems includes approximately forty bright and large galaxies.
Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, represents a galaxy within the Local Group (of Galaxies)
numbering 30 galaxies in total, five million light years in diameter and which is moving in unison towards the constellation of Virgo. Other
prominent galaxies within the Local Group include Andromeda (150,000 light-years in diameter), Triangulum (40,000 light-years in diameter) and
the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (30,000 and 20,000 light-years in diameter respectively). The center of the Local Group is believed to
lie between the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy. The richest member of our Local Group is the Virgo Cluster which is believed to contain
approximately 2500 galaxies mostly elliptical in nature.
Note: For a thorough and extensive discussion on galaxies including starburst, formation,
interaction and cannibalization, see Astronomy Magazine (Mar/2008, complete issue).
To enter a particular galaxy image gallery, please click on the corresponding hyperlink under "Category".
Category | Sample Images | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Galaxies |
M33 in Tri Pinwheel Galaxy |
M51 in CVn Whirlpool Galaxy |
M81 in UMa Bode's Galaxy |
M101 in UMa Pinwheel Galaxy |
M110 in And |
Galaxies |
NGC 6946 in Cep |
NGC 147 in Cas |
NGC 185 in Cas |
NGC 3718 in UMa |
|
Galaxies |
Arp 26 in UMa |
Arp 85 in CVn |
|||
Galaxies |
NGC 147 in Cas |
NGC 185 in Cas |
NGC 205 in And |
NGC 221 in And |
NGC 1569 in Cam |
Draco Dwarf |
Leo I Dwarf |
Leo II Dwarf |
Ursa Minor Dwarf |
Ursa Major Dwarf |
|
Galaxies |
Holmberg I |
Holmberg II |
Holmberg III |
Holmberg IV |
Holmberg V |
Galaxies |
NGC 2207 - IC 2163 |
Stephan's Quintet |
NGC 4676 The Mice |
NGC 4038/4039 Antennae Galaxies |
|
Galaxies |
Hoag's Galaxy |
Cosmic Horseshoe |
Arp 147 |
NGC 1144 |
Cartwheel Galaxy |
Ring Galaxies |
SDSS J0000+0000 in Xxx |
SDSS J0000+0000 in Xxx |
SDSS J0000+0000 in Xxx |
SDSS J0000+0000 in Xxx |
SDSS J0000+0000 in Xxx |
Galaxy Clusters |
AGC 426 Perseus Cluster |
AGC 1060 Hydra Cluster |
AGC 2065 Corona Borealis Cluster |
AGC 2151 Hercules Cluster |
|
Compact Galaxy Groups |
HCG 000 |
HCG 000 |
HCG 000 |
HCG 000 |
HCG 000 |
Groups |
NGC 147 in Cas Local Group |
NGC 185 in Cas Local Group |
M33 in Tri Local Group |
M110 in And Local Group |
IC 1613 in Cet Local Group |
M81 in UMa M81 Group |
M82 in UMa M81 Group |
||||
M51 in CVn M101 Group |
M101 in UMa M101 Group |