Why do elliptical galaxies appear yellow or red?
A)They contain no hot, young blue stars
B)They contain only massive- stars that have progressed to the red- giant stage
C)They have very little dust or cool gas, and thus have little ongoing star formation
D)A and B
E)A and C

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Elliptical galaxies are characterized by old stellar populations and lack of ongoing star formation. This means they have very few hot, young blue stars that emit blue light. Instead, they tend to contain mostly cooler red and yellow stars, which emit longer wavelength light. Additionally, they have little to no dust or cool gas, which are necessary for star formation, further contributing to their yellow or red appearance. Therefore, options A and C both contribute to the yellow or red color of elliptical galaxies.

Why Do Elliptical Galaxies Appear Yellow or Red