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Does there exist any correlation between galaxy type and the quantity of stars within a galaxy?
Among galaxies in the same location and of the same general size, those that are spiral will have a greater stellar mass (proportional to their general mass) than will elliptical galaxies.
Spiral galaxies are younger than are elliptical galaxies and experience a greater rate of star formation than do elliptical galaxies. Generally an increased production rate results in a greater quantity of the produced substance. If this is true, then the spiral galaxies will have a greater stellar mass, proportional to their total mass, than will the elliptical galaxies.
Discovering a correlation between the stellar mass of a galaxy and its type is important because it could help scientists determine how many other galaxies are similar to the Milky Way. Additionally, it could open doors to further determination of the properties of spiral galaxies, like the Milky Way.
A typical spiral galaxy will have a stellar mass greater than that of a typical elliptical galaxy.
Research Question
Hypothesis
Prediction
Reasoning
Significance
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