Author
Members and guests attending the Bluewater Astronomical Society meeting on May 8 at the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre (BOEC) enjoyed an outstanding educational presentation by BAS member Julian Delf titled Galaxy Classification.
Julian guided attendees through the fascinating history and science behind how astronomers classify galaxies, beginning with early observations of faint “nebulae” and the famous Shapley–Curtis “Great Debate,” which helped establish that galaxies exist far beyond our own Milky Way.
The presentation explored the major galaxy types within the Hubble Classification System, including:
- Elliptical galaxies
- Spiral galaxies
- Barred spiral galaxies
- Lenticular galaxies
- Irregular galaxies
- Dwarf galaxies
- Ring and polar ring galaxies
- Active galaxies and quasars
Attendees also learned how galaxy morphology reveals important information about:
- star formation
- galactic evolution
- mergers and interactions
- dark matter
- supermassive black holes
- modern AI-based galaxy classification systems
Julian incorporated stunning imagery from NASA, ESA, Hubble, and modern astronomical surveys throughout the presentation, helping explain both the beauty and complexity of galaxies across the universe.
Particularly engaging sections included:
- The Whirlpool Galaxy as an example of a grand design spiral galaxy
- The Antennae Galaxies merger system
- Ring galaxies such as the Cartwheel Galaxy
- Dark galaxies and evidence for dark matter
- Modern classification systems using Euclid survey data
The presentation provided an excellent blend of astronomy history, observational science, astrophysics, and modern research techniques, making it accessible to both newer astronomy enthusiasts and experienced observers alike.
BAS thanks Julian Delf for preparing and presenting this excellent educational session for members and guests.