Irregular Galaxies
Part of Hall of the Universe.
![Irregular galaxies_HERO](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/hall-of-the-universe2/calder/hou-hero-images/irregular-galaxies_hero/1045609-1-eng-US/irregular-galaxies_hero_wideexact_2460.jpg 2460w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/hall-of-the-universe2/calder/hou-hero-images/irregular-galaxies_hero/1045609-1-eng-US/irregular-galaxies_hero_wideexact_1230.jpg 1230w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/hall-of-the-universe2/calder/hou-hero-images/irregular-galaxies_hero/1045609-1-eng-US/irregular-galaxies_hero_wideexact_800.jpg 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/hall-of-the-universe2/calder/hou-hero-images/irregular-galaxies_hero/1045609-1-eng-US/irregular-galaxies_hero_wideexact_400.jpg 400w)
Irregular galaxies have a chaotic appearance, and are usually small. Their irregular shapes are probably due to recent disturbances — either bursts of internal star formation, or gravitational encounters with external galaxies.
AMNH/D. Finnin