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Galaxies

Galaxy Fundamentals

What is a lenticular galaxy?

A lenticular galaxy is a lens-shaped galaxy that has strong elements of both elliptical and spiral galaxies. It can be viewed as either an elliptical galaxy with a disk surrounding its outer edge, or as a spiral galaxy with a very large bulge and almost no spiral arm structure. A very striking visual example of a lenticular galaxy is the object called Messier 104, which is nicknamed “The Sombrero.”



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