Researchers from the University of Southampton, in collaboration with global partners, are approaching a significant breakthrough in understanding the formation of the universe's largest galaxies. A study published in Nature focuses on the creation of massive elliptical galaxies, which differ markedly from the flat disk-like structure of the Milky Way.
Utilizing the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, scientists analyzed over 100 star-forming galaxies from the distant universe. Co-author Dr. Annagrazia Puglisi indicated that large flows of cold gas and collisions between galaxies in the early universe likely contributed to the formation of these giant systems.
Dr. Puglisi explained, "Two disk galaxies smashing together caused gas—the fuel for star formation—to sink towards their center, generating trillions of new stars. These cosmic collisions occurred approximately 8 to 12 billion years ago, during a more active phase of the universe's evolution."
The study reveals that these galaxies form rapidly, with gas being drawn inward to feed black holes, triggering star bursts at rates ten to 100 times faster than that of the Milky Way. The findings aim to provide a more complete picture of early galaxy formation and enhance understanding of the universe's evolution.
This research was conducted in conjunction with the Purple Mountain Observatory and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The team plans to integrate their findings with data from the James Webb Space Telescope, the Euclid satellite, and the Chinese Space Station, which is expected to yield new insights into the formation of these ancient cosmic structures.