Galaxy Classification Activity

(15 pts.)

Part One​: Create a Classification System

Use the sheet of fifteen galaxies and sort them based on appearance. Examine all of the
galaxies carefully. Choose a galaxy decide which characteristics make this galaxy unique.
Describe the Galaxy carefully and completely. ​Make a sketch in the table below, use words to
describe the characteristics of this galaxy.​ This is your first category. Choose another galaxy
decide if it fits into the first category, or if it is so different it requires another category. If it
needs a new category create one like you did above. ​Repeat this for all the photographs of
galaxies.

Table1:
Galaxy Galaxy Description Galaxy Sketch
Number (use enough detail so anyone can use this
system)
Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Category 4
Part Two:​ Applying Hubble’s Classification System
After you have completed table one, collect the copy of ​Edwin Hubble’s Classification
System​, which was developed in the 1920’s. Use the system and label the Galaxies from part
one using Hubble’s system. Label them directly on the galaxy sheet.

Part Three: ​Questions

1. Based on your observations and Hubble’s classification which type of galaxy is most
common?

2. Let us assume your answer to number one is incorrect. The most common type of galaxy
is NOT the type most commonly show in the photographs. What could account for the
abundance of photos of a particular type of galaxy?

3. Why can we not have a photograph of our own galaxy? How can we know its
shape/classification?

Galaxy Awesome Good Good enough Not Good Are you sure
Classification Enough you want to
hand this in?
Rubric 5 4 3 2 1
(15 pts)
Part One​: Descriptions Descriptions Descriptions Not all of the Either pictures
Create a and pictures and pictures and pictures galaxies fit or descriptions
Classification are clear and break the break the into your are missing or
System break the galaxies into galaxies into categories extremely
galaxies into definable groups unclear
clear definable groups
groups
Part Two: All galaxies All galaxies Most galaxies Most galaxies There are
Applying are sorted into are sorted into are sorted into are in the galaxies not
Hubble’s the correct the correct the correct correct classified
Classification sub-category category most category category
System are in the All are sorted
correct into a
sub-category sub-category
Part Three: All Are Most Are All Are Most are One is
Questions Correct correct attempted attempted attempted