Galaxies #2 - Elliptical Galaxies

Elliptical galaxies, like the name suggests have an elliptical shape with no specific axis of rotation. Elliptical galaxies are classified on the basis of their eccentricity, ie how much they deviate from a circle. The class starts from E0 which are the most circular galaxies to E7 which are the most elliptical in shape.

Elliptical galaxies are also divided into stages. Compact elliptical galaxies are denoted by cE, normal ellipses just by E and late elliptical galaxies by E+.

For example the galaxy M32, located in the constellation Andromeda is denoted cE2. It looks like this. It is clearly seen that it is only slightly elliptical and hence denoted by 2.

Another elliptical galaxy is M59 which is more elliptical than M32 and hence designated as E5. It looks like this.

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