Luminous Infrared Galaxies
Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs) are a class of galaxies that emit a significant amount of their energy in the infrared spectrum. They are typically characterized by high star formation rates, often due to interactions or mergers with other galaxies. This intense activity generates large amounts of dust, which absorbs visible light and re-emits it as infrared radiation.
These galaxies are important for understanding cosmic evolution and the formation of stars. LIRGs can be found in various environments, including clusters and the field, and they often serve as a bridge between normal galaxies and more extreme systems like Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies (ULIRGs).