What term describes the star formation state of Elliptical Galaxies, reflecting their gas poverty?
Answer
Quiescent
Elliptical galaxies are characterized by a near-total cessation of new star formation, a condition astronomers refer to as quiescent. This lack of activity is directly tied to the depletion or expulsion of the necessary raw materials—cold molecular gas and dust clouds—from the interstellar medium within the galaxy. Without these components available to collapse and condense, the process of stellar birth cannot proceed. This contrasts sharply with spiral galaxies where ongoing compression of gas in the spiral arms fuels continuous stellar birth, maintaining a more active state.
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