Phrase guide

green pea galaxy

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A type of galaxy, found in the local universe, that are active, undergoing high rates of star formation, which provides a green tinge, and are compact, visually appearing akin to peas. These active galaxies have strong oxygen emission lines and no active galactic nucleus (“AGN”), similar to small galaxies in the distant early universe, but unlike those in the nearby contemporary universe.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: astronomy, natural-sciences

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the resemblance to the vegetable. From being a galaxy having a greenish tinge, and being small and round like a pea.