Edge-on galaxy

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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

N4631s.jpg
Whale galaxy
M104 ngc4594 sombrero galaxy hi-res.jpg
Sombrero Galaxy
Ngc5866 hst big rotated.jpg
Messier 102
N891s.jpg
NGC 891