What does it mean by the Local Group of galaxies?
The Local Group of galaxies are a group of around 2 dozen galaxies. It is the group to which our galaxy belongs. All the galaxies are clustered together in this group. They are all very near eachother.
You have already answered your own question. The Local Group of galaxies are not very close, but close enough to be gravitationally held together in a group. The biggest galaxies in the Local Group are ours (The Milky Way)and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). They are being pulled together and will eventually collide.
thank you so much:-)
To understand the concept of the Local Group of galaxies, let's break it down step by step:
1. What is a group of galaxies?
- A group of galaxies refers to a collection of galaxies that are gravitationally bound to each other. These galaxies are typically found in close proximity to one another and interact with each other through gravity.
2. What is the Local Group?
- The Local Group is a specific group of galaxies that includes our own Milky Way galaxy. It is called the "Local" Group because it is the neighborhood of galaxies closest to us in the vast expanse of the universe.
3. How many galaxies are there in the Local Group?
- The Local Group consists of approximately two dozen (around 24) galaxies. However, the two most dominant members are the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy.
4. What does it mean for the galaxies to be "clustered" and "near" each other?
- When we say that the galaxies in the Local Group are clustered, it means that they are located relatively close to each other in space. They are gravitationally bound and tend to move together due to the forces of gravity.
- By being near each other, we are referring to the proximity of these galaxies within the Local Group. The distances between them are relatively small compared to the vast scales of the universe.
In summary, the Local Group of galaxies represents a collection of approximately 24 galaxies, including the Milky Way, that are gravitationally bound together and exist in close proximity to each other in the universe.