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Bautz–Morgan classification

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The Bautz–Morgan classification was developed in 1970 by Laura P. Bautz and William Wilson Morgan to categorize galaxy clusters based on their morphology. It defines three main types: I, II, and III. Intermediate types (I-II, II-III) are also allowed. A type IV was initially proposed, but later redacted before the final paper was published.

Classificiation

  • A type I cluster is dominated by a bright, large, supermassive cD galaxy; for example Abell 2029 and Abell 2199.
  • A type II cluster contains elliptical galaxies whose brightness relative to the cluster is intermediate to that of type I and type III. The Coma Cluster is an example of a type II.
  • A type III cluster has no remarkable members, such as the Virgo Cluster. Type-III has two subdivisions, type IIIE and type IIIS
  • Type IIIE clusters do not contain many giant spirals
  • Type IIIS clusters contain many giant spirals
  • The deprecated type IV was for clusters whose brightest members were predominantly spirals.

    • References

    Bautz–Morgan classification Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA