The Elliptical Galaxies
Elliptical galaxies show NO spiral arms, only an amorphous bulge. The classification for such galaxies is E, with a number that tells us the X to Y ratio of the ellipse: round elliptical galaxies are E0, more flattened galaxies, are classified E1, E2, E3, etc., the most squashed elliptical galaxies, are E7.
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M87 is classified as E1. |
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This elliptical galaxy, M59, is classified between E3 and E5. |
There are no elliptical galaxies near to us. The two galaxies above belong to a fairly distant galaxy cluster called Virgo. The Virgo Cluster of galaxies is located about 50 million light years away (in the direction of the constellation Virgo).
Properties of Elliptical galaxies: They contain only OLD stars and essentially NO cold gas or dust. NO new stars can ever be born. They are entirely Pop II stellar systems.