GalaxiesGalaxy 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.”