![Picture](/uploads/4/7/7/2/47723901/9754097.gif?201)
The image shows an example, the giant elliptical galaxy M87 in the center of the Virgo cluster. Some other examples of elliptical galaxies include M32, which is an E2 dwarf elliptical near the Andromeda Galaxy, and the E6 elliptical galaxy M110, another satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy.
The Hubble Classification
In the Hubble sequence E0, E1, E2, ... E7, the number is related to how flattened the ellipse appears to be, with E0 corresponding to no flattening and E7 to a very elongated ellipse. The Hubble classification scheme uses the apparent ellipticity, so it refers to the projection of the galaxy's shape on the celestial sphere, not its actual shape.
Elliptical galaxies are spheroidal distributions of mostly older stars, usually without much of the intersteller material that is prevalent in spirals. Ellipticals vary greatly in size, from very small companions found near our own galaxy to the giant ellipticals often seen near the center of rich clusters.
The Hubble Classification
In the Hubble sequence E0, E1, E2, ... E7, the number is related to how flattened the ellipse appears to be, with E0 corresponding to no flattening and E7 to a very elongated ellipse. The Hubble classification scheme uses the apparent ellipticity, so it refers to the projection of the galaxy's shape on the celestial sphere, not its actual shape.
Elliptical galaxies are spheroidal distributions of mostly older stars, usually without much of the intersteller material that is prevalent in spirals. Ellipticals vary greatly in size, from very small companions found near our own galaxy to the giant ellipticals often seen near the center of rich clusters.