Lenticular galaxy

Encyclopedia : L : LE : LEN : Lenticular galaxy

The Spindle Galaxy (NGC 5866), a lenticular galaxy in the Draco constellation.

A lenticular galaxy is a type of galaxy which is an intermediate between an elliptical galaxy and a spiral galaxy in the Hubble sequence classification scheme. Lenticular galaxies are disc galaxies (like spiral galaxies) which have used up or lost their interstellar matter (like elliptical galaxies). Because of their ill-defined spiral arms, if they are inclined face-on it is often difficult to distinguish between them and elliptical galaxies.

Hubble classification of lenticulars are S0, SB0, E8

de Vaucouleurs classification adds the SA0, SAB0

See also

• Active galaxy
• Barred spiral galaxy
• Dwarf galaxy
• Dwarf elliptical galaxy
• Dwarf spheroidal galaxy
• Elliptical galaxy
• Galaxy classification
• Galaxy formation and evolution
• Groups and clusters of galaxies
• Irregular galaxy
• List of galaxies
• List of nearest galaxies
• Ring galaxy
• Spiral galaxy
• Starburst galaxy
• Seyfert galaxy
• Timeline of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and large scale structure

External links

• [SEDS Messier pages: Lenticular Galaxies]

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