Galáxia

Galáxia is a term of Portuguese origin that refers to a galaxy. A galaxy is a vast, gravitationally bound system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter. Galaxies are the fundamental building blocks of the large-scale structure of the universe. They range in size from dwarf galaxies containing only a few hundred million stars to giant galaxies containing hundreds of trillions of stars.

Galaxies are classified based on their visual morphology. The main types include spiral galaxies, which have a flattened disk with spiral arms, elliptical galaxies, which are smooth and oval-shaped, and irregular galaxies, which lack a distinct regular shape. Our own solar system resides in the Milky Way galaxy, which is a spiral galaxy.

The formation and evolution of galaxies are complex processes that have occurred over billions of years. Galaxies are thought to have formed from the gravitational collapse of smaller clouds of gas and dark matter in the early universe. They can interact with and merge with other galaxies, which can significantly alter their structure and star formation rates. Galaxies are also home to a wide variety of celestial objects, including stars, planets, nebulae, and black holes. The study of galaxies is a central part of modern astronomy and cosmology.