Ring galaxy: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Hoag's object.jpg|right|thumb|Hoag's Object, a ring galaxy.]] | [[Image:Hoag's object.jpg|right|thumb|Hoag's Object, a ring galaxy.]] | ||
A '''ring galaxy''' is a [[galaxy]] with a ring-like appearance. The ring consists of massive, relatively young blue [[star]]s, which are extremely bright. The central region contains relatively little luminous [[matter]]. Some [[Astronomy|astronomers]] believe that ring galaxies are formed when a smaller galaxy passes through the center of a larger galaxy. Because most of a galaxy consists of empty space, this "collision" rarely results in any actual collisions between stars. However the [[gravity|gravitational]] disruptions caused by such an event could cause a [[wave]] of star formation to move through the larger galaxy. Others think that rings are formed around some galaxies when external accretion takes place. The star formation would then take place in the accreted material because of the shocks and compressions of the accreted material. | A '''ring galaxy''' is a [[galaxy]] with a ring-like appearance. The ring consists of massive, relatively young blue [[star]]s, which are extremely bright. The central region contains relatively little luminous [[matter]]. Some [[Astronomy|astronomers]] believe that ring galaxies are formed when a smaller galaxy passes through the center of a larger galaxy. Because most of a galaxy consists of empty space, this "collision" rarely results in any actual collisions between stars. However the [[gravity|gravitational]] disruptions caused by such an event could cause a [[wave]] of star formation to move through the larger galaxy. Others think that rings are formed around some galaxies when external accretion takes place. The star formation would then take place in the accreted material because of the shocks and compressions of the accreted material. There might be a link between ring galaxies and [[galaxy|polar ring galaxies]]. | ||
[[Hoag's Object]], discovered by [[Art Hoag]] in 1950 is an example of such a galaxy. | [[Hoag's Object]], discovered by [[Art Hoag]] in 1950 is an example of such a galaxy. | ||
Revision as of 14:17, 1 March 2009
A ring galaxy is a galaxy with a ring-like appearance. The ring consists of massive, relatively young blue stars, which are extremely bright. The central region contains relatively little luminous matter. Some astronomers believe that ring galaxies are formed when a smaller galaxy passes through the center of a larger galaxy. Because most of a galaxy consists of empty space, this "collision" rarely results in any actual collisions between stars. However the gravitational disruptions caused by such an event could cause a wave of star formation to move through the larger galaxy. Others think that rings are formed around some galaxies when external accretion takes place. The star formation would then take place in the accreted material because of the shocks and compressions of the accreted material. There might be a link between ring galaxies and polar ring galaxies.
Hoag's Object, discovered by Art Hoag in 1950 is an example of such a galaxy.
See also
External links
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bg:Пръстеновидна галактика de:Ringgalaxie es:Galaxia anular fr:Galaxie à anneau it:Galassia ad anello he:גלקסיית טבעת hu:Gyűrűs galaxis nn:Ringgalakse pl:Galaktyka pierścieniowa sk:Prstencová galaxia sl:Obročasta galaksija sr:Прстенаста галаксија sv:Ringformig galax th:ดาราจักรชนิดวงแหวน zh:環星系