Dwarf Galaxy

(Last edited: Friday, 28 April 2023, 6:09 PM)

dwarf galaxy

Picture: Fornax Dwarf Galaxy

Image/Video/Audio Source:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fornax_dwarf_galaxy.jpg

Short Definition:

A dwarf galaxy is one that contains fewer stars than larger galaxies. A dwarf galaxy is a galaxy made up of material and dark matter ejected from larger galaxies by the force of gravity. Although a dwarf galaxy is defined by astronomers by the number of stars it contains, and hence its size, it is also defined as dwarf by its shape, content, and even appearance.

Detailed Definition:

Dwarf galaxies, formed from fragments of larger galaxies, are the most abundant type of galaxy in the universe. Dwarf galaxies are galaxies that break apart due to their relatively small size to their neighbors, causing stellar streams and galaxy mergers. However dynamic these relationships with neighboring galaxies may be, they are difficult to detect by astronomers due to their low light, mass and small size. The astronomical importance of these dwarf galaxies actually comes from their tendency to form from other large galaxies and merge again with larger galaxies. Their difference from the usual galaxy shape is that they have low metallicity and gas in abundance. This situation is used by astronomers as evidence to interpret the motion and evolution of galaxies. Dwarf galaxies are basically divided into three groups: Dwarf elliptical galaxies, dwarf spheroidal galaxies, and dwarf irregular galaxies.

Etymology:

From Old English Dweorg + From Latin Galaxias

Sample Sentence(s):

The most powerful space telescope currently operating has zoomed in on a lonely dwarf galaxy in our galactic neighborhood, imaging it in stunning detail.’’

(Lea, R. (2022, November 11). James Webb Space Telescope peers into lonely dwarf galaxy with sparkling results. Space.com. https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-wlm-dwarf-galaxy-image)

‘’This Living Collection starts with an introductory Comment and continues with a series of articles on the science of dwarf galaxies, their properties and their theoretical modelling and simulations.’’

(It’s time for some plane speaking. (2021, December 13). Nature. https://www.nature.com/collections/bgegjajcec error=cookies_not_supported&code=03e197b7-7ba4-4db9-a0c7-ee3cf2730af7)

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages:

French:

Galaxie Naine

German:

Zwerggalaxie

Polish:

Galaktyka karłowata

Swedish:

Dvärggalax

Turkish:

Cüce Gökada

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://esahubble.org/wordbank/dwarf-galaxy/

https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/D/dwarf+galaxy

https://www.sciencealert.com/webb-is-giving-us-a-stunning-new-look-into-this-lonely-dwarf-galaxy

https://esawebb.org/images/WLMb/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcDrvX6vy0k&ab_channel=EuropeanSouthernObservatory%28ESO%29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gez1RSHQvDE&ab_channel=Engadget


» Dictionary of Space Concepts