Elliptical Galaxy

An elliptical galaxy is a type of galaxy shaped like an elongated, flattened sphere. Unlike spiral galaxies, which feature distinct arms, elliptical galaxies have a smooth, homogenous appearance and contain older stars. They lack significant amounts of gas and dust, making new star formation rare. These galaxies vary in size, from small dwarf ellipticals to massive giants. Their formation is believed to result from the merging of smaller galaxies over time. Elliptical galaxies are commonly found in galaxy clusters and represent one of the main types of galaxies in the universe.