What is the key defining characteristic of elliptical galaxies that results in their stellar population skewing heavily toward older stars?
Answer
Lack of new star formation
Elliptical galaxies are characterized by a lack of new star formation because they generally contain very little cool gas and dust, the raw materials necessary for making new stars.
Related Questions
Which galaxy type is most frequently associated with containing a population dominated by old, dying stars?What is the key defining characteristic of elliptical galaxies that results in their stellar population skewing heavily toward older stars?What characteristic color do elliptical galaxies typically display when viewed through a telescope, indicating their quiescent nature?What shape defines elliptical galaxies in contrast to the flattened disks of spiral galaxies?What term describes the process, considered long-term or permanent in ellipticals, referring to the cessation of star formation in a galaxy?In which galaxy type are gas and dust actively compressed in spiral arms, triggering the birth of new, massive, and bright blue stars?Which mechanism is cited as a way gas reservoirs can be stripped away from a galaxy, contributing to quenching?What evolutionary process is noted as a significant driver for transforming spiral galaxies into ellipticals?What is entirely absent in the light signature of an elliptical galaxy compared to an actively forming region like a spiral arm?What is the best visual clue for a general reader observing an elliptical galaxy that indicates a population dominated by older stellar generations?