Last Updated : 06 May, 2024
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A galaxy is a vast system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, dark matter, and other astronomical objects bound together by gravity. The universe is the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, and all the physical laws and constants that govern them. It encompasses everything that exists, from the smallest subatomic particles to the largest galaxies and beyond.
Table of Content
- List of largest galaxies in the Universe
- List of nearest galaxies in the Universe
- FAQs on Names of Galaxies
List of Names of Galaxies in the Universe
List of Spiral Galaxies
| Galaxy | Constellation | Origin of Name | Discovery | Appearance | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milky Way Galaxy | Sagittarius | - | Ancient times | Spiral barred galaxy | Contains the Solar System; diameter: 100,000 light-years |
| Andromeda Galaxy (M31) | Andromeda | Mythical princess Andromeda | 964 CE by Persian astronomer Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi | Spiral galaxy with a bright core | Closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way; distance: 2.537 million light-years |
| Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) | Canes Venatici | Resembles a whirlpool | 1773 by Charles Messier | Grand-design spiral galaxy | Interacting with smaller galaxy NGC 5195; distance: 23 million light-years |
| Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) | Ursa Major | Resembles a pinwheel | 1781 by Pierre Méchain | Face-on spiral galaxy with loosely wound arms | Contains many H II regions; distance: 21 million light-years |
| Triangulum Galaxy (M33) | Triangulum | Located in constellation | 1654 by Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Hodierna | Spiral galaxy with a small core and faint arms | Third-largest galaxy in Local Group; distance: 2.73 million light-years |
List of Ring Galaxies
| Galaxy | Constellation | Origin of Name | Discovery | Appearance | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartwheel Galaxy | Sculptor | Resembles a cartwheel | 1941 by Fritz Zwicky | Distinct ring structure surrounding a central core | Result of a galactic collision |
| Hoag's Object | Serpens | Named after Arthur Hoag | 1950 by Arthur Hoag | Circular ring of stars with an empty center | Unusual ring galaxy with a central nucleus |
List of Polar-Ring Galaxies
| Galaxy | Constellation | Origin of Name | Discovery | Appearance | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartwheel Galaxy | Sculptor | Resembles a cartwheel | 1941 by Fritz Zwicky | Distinct ring structure surrounding a central core | Result of a galactic collision |
| Hoag's Object | Serpens | Named after Arthur Hoag | 1950 by Arthur Hoag | Circular ring of stars with an empty center | Unusual ring galaxy with a central nucleus |
List of Quasars
| Quasar | Constellation | Origin of Name | Discovery | Appearance | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3C 273 | Virgo | 3rd Cambridge Catalog of Radio Sources (3C) | 1963 by Maarten Schmidt | Bright and distant point-like source of radio waves | First quasar ever identified |
| PKS 2322-123 | Equuleus | Named after its position in the Parkes Catalog | 1982 by Parkes Observatory | Distant and bright source of radio waves, located in a galaxy | Classified as a quasar; emits large amounts of energy |
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List of Largest Galaxies in the Universe
The following is the list of largest galaxies in the Universe:
| Galaxy | Type | Diameter (Light-years) | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC 1101 | Elliptical | >6 million | Constellation: Virgo | One of the largest known galaxies, containing trillions of stars. |
| Messier 87 (M87) | Elliptical | ~120,000 | Virgo Cluster | Contains a supermassive black hole at its center. |
| Andromeda Galaxy (M31) | Spiral | ~220,000 | Constellation: Andromeda | The largest spiral galaxy in the Local Group. |
| Centaurus A (NGC 5128) | Elliptical | ~200,000 | Constellation: Centaurus | Classified as an elliptical galaxy with a prominent dust lane. |
| Sombrero Galaxy (M104) | Spiral | ~50,000 | Constellation: Virgo | Notable for its bright central bulge and dust lane. |
List of Nearest Galaxies in the Universe
Here's a list of some of the nearest galaxies to the Milky Way:
| Galaxy | Type | Distance from Milky Way (Light-years) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda Galaxy (M31) | Spiral | ~2.537 million | Closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way |
| Triangulum Galaxy (M33) | Spiral | ~2.73 million | Third-largest galaxy in the Local Group |
| Large Magellanic Cloud | Irregular | ~160,000 | Satellite galaxy of the Milky Way |
| Small Magellanic Cloud | Irregular | ~200,000 | Another satellite galaxy of the Milky Way |
| Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy | Dwarf | ~70,000 | Satellite galaxy of the Milky Way |
| Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy | Dwarf | ~25,000 | Satellite galaxy of the Milky Way |
- What is a Star? Formation, Life Span, Constellations
- Solar System Planets, Orders and Formation
FAQs on Names of Galaxies
What is the name of our galaxy?
Our galaxy is called the Milky Way Galaxy, named for its milky appearance when viewed from Earth.
What are the names of the stars in our galaxy?
The stars in our galaxy have various names, often designated by catalog numbers or given common names based on their brightness or historical significance.
How many galaxies have names?
While billions of galaxies exist, only a fraction have been formally named, usually those that are observable and have been studied in detail.
What are 4 types of galaxies?
The four main types of galaxies are spiral, barred spiral, elliptical, and irregular, each distinguished by their shape and structure.
Which galaxy is the biggest?
The largest known galaxy by mass is IC 1101, a supergiant elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Virgo.
Are there 7 galaxies?
There are far more than 7 galaxies in the universe; billions are known to exist, each with its own unique properties and characteristics.
What are some cool names of galaxies?
Some galaxies have interesting names like the Whirlpool Galaxy, the Black Eye Galaxy, and the Fireworks Galaxy, inspired by their appearance or characteristics.
What are galaxy names for girls?
While galaxies typically don't have gendered names, one could use imaginative names like Nova, Celestia, Stella, or Lyra, inspired by astronomical themes, for a girl.
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