Names of Galaxies in the Universe, Not Just the Milky Way

Jakarta, Borneo24.com – Galaxies are massive systems bound by the force of gravity. It is composed of stars, gas, interstellar medium dust, and dark matter. With an estimated 100 billion to 200 billion galaxies in the universe, it’s no wonder the majority of galaxies have so far been identified by catalog numbers.

For example, M51, GN-z11, and IOK-1. Although quite difficult to remember, the arrangement of numbers and letters is full of meaning for astronomers. In addition, there are several galaxies that have been named. Usually, these galaxies have a distinctive shape, are very close, and are easy to observe. Reporting from Live Science, here are the names of galaxies in the universe.

1. Galaksi Bima Sakti

The Milky Way Galaxy is 100,000 light years in diameter and is estimated to have at least 100 billion to 400 billion more stars. The Milky Way Galaxy is a barred spiral galaxy with a central bar structure crossing its core. Matthew Stanley, professor of history of science at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, isn’t sure when the galaxy was first referred to as the Milky Way.

2. The Tadpole Galaxy

The Tadpole Galaxy or the Tadpole Galaxy has an oval “head” and a long “tail” trailing it. The tail of the Tadpole Galaxy is about 280,000 light years and is studded with a very large and bright star cluster. The Tadpole Galaxy’s tail probably formed when another galaxy got too close to the Tadpole Galaxy and was swung behind it by the force of gravity.

3. Galaksi Black Eye

Messier 64 (M64) has a rather scary name, namely the Black Eye Galaxy or the Evil Eye Galaxy. The name Black Eye Galaxy is inspired by the dark band of dust that surrounds its bright core. These shadow bands may have formed after collisions with other galaxies.

In the 1990s, scientists discovered that gas in the outer region of the Black Eye Galaxy rotates counterclockwise. Astronomers suspect this unusual region is the last remnant of a smaller galaxy colliding with the Black Eye Galaxy.

4. Galaksi Hat

The Sombrero Galaxy is a spiral galaxy that looks like a hat when viewed from the edge of the Earth. The Sombrero Galaxy is also known as Messier 104 (M104). It is located about 28 million light years from Earth and measures 50,000 light years away. The Sombrero Galaxy is one of the most massive objects in the Virgo cluster, according to the Hubble Space Telescope.

5. Whirlpool Galaxy

Like the Milky Way Galaxy, the Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51 or M51) is a spiral galaxy with many arms curved outward and around a bright center.

The core of the Whirlpool Galaxy is home to older stars, while younger, brighter stars are visible along its arm. The Whirlpool Galaxy is 25 million light-years from Earth and 600,000 light-years across.

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