The three main types of galaxies are:
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Spiral Galaxies: These galaxies have a flat, rotating disk that contains stars, gas, and dust, along with a central concentration of stars called a bulge. They often have beautiful spiral arms that extend outward from the center. The Milky Way, where Earth is located, is a spiral galaxy.
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Elliptical Galaxies: These galaxies range from spherical to elongated shapes and have a smooth, featureless light profile. They primarily consist of older stars and have very little interstellar matter, making star formation rates quite low.
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Irregular Galaxies: These galaxies do not have a distinct shape like spiral or elliptical galaxies. They tend to be more chaotic in their appearance and can include a mix of young and old stars. Irregular galaxies may have been shaped by gravitational interactions with other galaxies.
Tip for Baking Great Cookies: Use room temperature butter and make sure to cream it well with the sugars until it's light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the dough, which helps produce a lighter and more tender cookie.
The Galaxy the Earth Is In: Earth is located in the Milky Way Galaxy, which is a barred spiral galaxy. The Milky Way is home to billions of stars, including our Sun, and has a distinct central bulge surrounded by spiral arms filled with young, bright stars.