The formation of galaxies continues to intrigue astronomers and astrophysicists, and recent research and observations have shed new light on whether new galaxies are still being born today.
By investigating the processes involved in the formation of galaxies and the current state of the universe, scientists are shedding light on this complex and fascinating subject.
Understanding galaxy formation
Galaxy It is a huge collection of stars, Gas, dark matter These galaxies formed billions of years ago – our own Milky Way galaxy, for example, is about 13.6 billion years old. The James Webb Space Telescope allows us to peer into some of the first galaxies in the early universe, offering a glimpse into the processes that formed these vast cosmic structures.
Galaxy formation The early universe began through a gradual process that began shortly after the Big Bang: small pockets of higher-than-average density emerged and then grew mainly by accumulation over the next few hundred million years. Dark matter And then it becomes a normal problem.
When normal matter collects in these dense regions, it is compressed, fragmented, The first starThese protogalaxies continued to consume gas, merging with neighboring galaxies and growing into the complete galaxies we see today. The initial stages of galaxy formation are complete.
No more Primitive galaxy, or Primordial Cloud Gas waiting to form New galaxy, In the present-day Universe, we see mature galaxies that have evolved over billions of years. The early processes that led to the formation of galaxies involved significant interactions and mergers that were more common in the dense early Universe.
Current star formation and galactic evolution
In the early process Galaxy formation It’s almost finished. Star formation Changes within the galaxy continue to this day. This ongoing process contributes to the evolution and growth of existing galaxies. Recent surveys and research have shown that there are now many more small, medium and large galaxies than there were billions of years ago. This increase is due to ongoing changes. Star formation And that Merging of small galaxies To something bigger.
Appearance A new star in the galaxy This is a crucial step in the evolution of galaxies: these new stars shine, making galaxies visible, increasing stellar mass and changing the dynamics of galaxies. The continuous merging of smaller galaxies into larger ones also plays an important role in the evolution of galaxies.
This process leads to the formation of larger and more complex structures. Galactic Diversity The number of galaxies observed in the Universe today is continually interacting and merging through gravity, creating ever more complex and diverse structures.
The role of dark matter in galaxy formation
Dark matter Dark matter plays a key role in the formation and evolution of galaxies. It is thought to make up about 27% of the mass-energy content of the universe. Dark matter provides the gravity needed to hold together the regular matter that forms stars and galaxies. Without dark matter, galaxies would not have enough mass to remain intact and would be ripped apart by their own rotational speed.
Recent research has shown that James Webb Space Telescope More detailed observations of the impact of dark matter on the formation of galaxies have been published. These observations help scientists refine models of how galaxies form and evolve over billions of years. The complex relationship between dark matter and regular matter remains an important area of research, providing insight into the fundamental forces that shape the universe.
The future of galaxy formation
Despite the ongoing process, Star formation Galactic merger, completely A new galaxy They are becoming increasingly rare. The expansion of the universe, driven by dark energy, is accelerating, making it harder for matter to clump together to form new galaxies. Star formation They originated billions of years ago, and although new galaxies continue to shine, their rate of appearance is declining.
Astronomers predict that Star formation As the universe ages, Rapid formation of galaxies The matter that existed in the early universe no longer exists.
However, the galaxies that exist today continue to evolve, Star formation Merger events then shape the structure and properties of galaxies. “We currently see galaxies forming stars, but at a much lower rate than during peak star formation,” the leading astronomer said.
The future Galaxy formation is affected by the balance of Dark matter, dark energy, And that Availability of gas and dust These are the drivers of star formation. Continued study of these drivers will help astronomers understand how galaxies continue to change over time.
