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The Hidden Lives of Galaxies - Classifying Galaxies


Activity #3 — Classifying Galaxies Using Hubble’s Fork Diagram

Objectives:

  • Student will gain knowledge of Hubble’s Fork Diagram of Galaxy Classification.
  • Student will be able to use his/her knowledge of the Hubble Fork Diagram to explain how the five galaxies in the "Types of Galaxies" section were classified.
  • Student will be able to create a chart that displays the basic scheme and classification of galaxies using the Hubble Fork Diagram.

Directions:

  1. Review Hubble’s Fork Diagram of Galaxy Classification (see Transparency #3 — Hubble Fork Diagram).
  2. Using the Galaxy Classification Chart, observe the images of each of the galaxies. Determine the scheme and classification of each galaxy. (see Transparency #4 — Galaxy Classification Images).

Transparencies available at http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/educators/galaxies/transparencies/.

Galaxy Classification Chart

Galaxy Image Scheme Classification

Andromeda

galaxy

Spiral

Sb

M84, NGC4374

galaxy

   

NGC 2997

galaxy

   

NGC5383

galaxy

   

Large Magellanic

galaxy

   

NGC4622

galaxy

   

M83

galaxy

   

Centaurus A

galaxy

   

M59, NGC4621

galaxy

   

NGC1365

galaxy

   

Assessment:

  1. With a partner, brainstorm ideas of how you classify objects in your everyday life (Pair/Share).
  2. How does classifying help organize your life? List five examples.

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A service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Andy Ptak (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/GSFC

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