Radio Galaxy Classification: #Tags, not Boxes

TL;DR

The paper proposes a new flexible #tag-based system for classifying radio galaxies, replacing traditional box-based schemes to better accommodate their complexity and evolving understanding.

Contribution

It introduces a novel #tag system for radio galaxy classification, aiming for flexibility and consensus in a rapidly expanding field.

Findings

Proposes a #tag-based classification framework

Addresses conflicts and ambiguities in current schemes

Encourages community adoption and evolution of the system

Abstract

After six decades of studying radio galaxies, we are now being delightfully overwhelmed by their exponentially expanding numbers, and the complexity of their structures. Similarly, the ways we classify radio galaxies have exploded, often leading to conflicting terminology, ambiguous classifications, and historical schemes that may or may not match with our current physical understanding. After discussions with more than 100 radio astronomers over the last several years, listening to their ideas and aspirations, I propose that we reconceptualize the classification of radio galaxies. Instead of trying to put them into "boxes", we should assign them #tags, a system that is easy to understand and apply, flexible and evolving, and can accommodate conflicting ideas about what is relevant and important. Here, I outline the basis of such a #tag system; the rest is up to the community.