Edge-on galaxy
A spiral galaxy is referred to as edge-on if it has a high inclination in relation to our viewing direction ( inclination , in the extreme case 90 °) and is therefore seen "from the side". In the case of edge-on galaxies, astronomers can not or only to a very limited extent study the spiral morphology, but the determination of rotation curves is possible. The opposite of Edge-on galaxies are face-on galaxies , which in supervisory be seen.
A special case of a galaxy that appears edge-on is the Milky Way . Due to the position of the earth near the galactic plane , the galaxy appears as a bright band in the side view. Since the earth is part of the Milky Way, this band also extends over the entire firmament .
Examples of edge-on galaxies
Whale galaxy |
Sombrero Galaxy |
Messier 102 |
NGC 891 |