Spin a Spiral Galaxy

Of the 100 billion or more galaxies visible through existing telescopes, most are either spiral or elliptical in shape and about one-fourth are irregular in shape. In addition to their shape, star systems can be further classified using other characteristics, such as the type of material they contain or the angle from which they're viewed. This interactive feature invites users to examine galaxy M83 and our own Milky Way galaxy in virtual reality, rotating and tilting the images to see the shape and distribution of stars in the galaxies. The annotated visible light photographs and composites offer opportunities to learn about a galaxy's scale, composition, and rotational pattern. Educational levels: Middle school, High school