What is the difference between a satellite and a galaxy?

Answer 1

Satellite galaxies are typically small galaxies orbiting a larger galaxy. In our case, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are dwarf galaxies just beyond our Milky Way, but their velocity is high enough they are probably not satellite galaxies. Our sister galaxy, Andromeda, is orbited by about 14 dwarf galaxies.

Answer 2

Galaxies are structures made up of many millions or billions of individual stars, planetoids, clouds of gas/dust and dark matter.

Stars are large objects that are massive enough to undergo extensive fusion at it's core. larger than 0.075 solar masses.

Planets are any object smaller than 13 Jovian masses but large enough to become roughly spherical due to gravity. They also must orbit a star and have cleared the orbital neighbourhood of other planetoids.

Objects larger than 13 Jovian masses but smaller than about 80 Jovian masses are known as Brown Dwarf Stellarobjects.

Objects large enough to become spherical due to gravity but have not cleared there orbital neighbourhood are dwarf planets.

Objects not large enough to become spherical due to gravity are asteroids, meteoroids and comets.

Answer 3

A star is a hot burning mass of hydrogen, helium and other stuff.

A planet is a collection of material that orbits a star.

A galaxy is a massive collection of stars, planets and other detritus.

Answer 4

A Satellite is either a natural or man made object that orbits around another planetary object. Our Moon is a natural satellite of Earth.

A galaxy is a vast, gravitationally bound collection of billions of stars and their associated "friends."

For a satellite galaxy, see related question.

Answer 5

Yes, a galaxy is much bigger than a satellite.