Astronomy & Space Science · AST-528
Galaxy Morphology: Physical Mechanisms
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Chapter map
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Mechanism
Mechanism of Galaxy Morphology
Galaxy form reflects angular momentum, gas supply, mergers, tidal interactions, bars, star formation, and environmental processes. A major merger can destroy an ordered disk, while continued gas accretion can rebuild disks under some conditions.
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References & evidence
Source library for this chapter
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- 01Galaxies — SummaryOpen source ↗
OpenStax Astronomy 2e
View claim-by-claim traceability3 verified claims
Imaging across optical and infrared wavelengths reveals stellar structure, while gas maps and spectra connect shape to kinematics and star formation.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026Galaxy form reflects angular momentum, gas supply, mergers, tidal interactions, bars, star formation, and environmental processes.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026Galaxy morphology describes the visible and structural forms of galaxies, including spirals, barred spirals, ellipticals, lenticulars, irregulars, and peculiar systems.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026