Why do irregular galaxies frequently appear bluer than elliptical galaxies?
Answer
They are populated by hot, young, short-lived stars born in intense bursts of star formation.
Irregular galaxies are often rich in gas and dust, providing a massive reservoir for star creation. Because these galaxies lack central organization, gas clouds are compressed in unpredictable ways when the galaxy is distorted by gravity. These collisions trigger intense bursts of star formation, creating areas known as H II regions. These regions glow brilliantly with young, hot, short-lived stars, which emit a bluer light, contrasting sharply with the older, cooler, and reddish stars that dominate the 'red and dead' environments of elliptical galaxies.
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What is an Irregular Galaxy? - YouTube
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