How many types of galaxies are there?

Question

3
4
5
6

Answer 1

There are typically three main types of galaxies classified by their shape:

1. Spiral Galaxies: These have a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas, and dust, as well as a central concentration of stars known as the bulge.

2. Elliptical Galaxies: These range from nearly spherical to elongated shapes, containing older stars and very little gas or dust.

3. Irregular Galaxies: These do not have a distinct regular shape and often appear chaotic, lacking a clear structure.

Some classifications also include lenticular galaxies (which have characteristics of both spiral and elliptical galaxies), bringing the total to four main types often discussed in galaxy morphology.

So the answer could be either 3 or 4, depending on whether or not you include lenticulars as a distinct category.