In a way galaxies are like a living being. They require fuel in order to grow just as other beings need food to survive. If we were to eat a huge quantity of food in a limited time we would develop dramatically. But in the long run harmful effects would soon appear, especially if the reserve is emptied completely.
If a young galaxy consumes all the fuel while it is young, it will give birth to what some call a ‘’starburst galaxy’’ filled completely with stars. While they are beautiful, they will never reach a stable form such as the Milky Way, and they will disappear sooner.
In some galaxies, a strange phenomenon presents their grim destiny. Galactic winds are composed out of fuel and materials originating from such galaxies. They escape into the universe and roam it, slowing down the expansive nature of their home. In some cases they return to them, providing a boost that stabilizes the galaxies and allows them to mature properly.
The information appears in a recently published study, which also notes the first spotting of the galactic winds in the early universe. Researchers have observed galactic wind flowing in a galaxy that is almost 12 billion light-years away from Earth. It is estimated that the wind escaped SPT2319-55 1 billion years after the Big Bang, when our universe was still in the early stages.
Such winds are hard to be observed since the light of old galaxies is weak, and the pattern may be easily compromised by other radiation sources. Researchers used the complex lens array offered by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile in order to observe the galaxy in detail.
Wind escaped the galaxy at almost 500 miles per second (or 800 kilometers per second). The galaxy is already starburst and it is unclear if the wind will be able to save it.
The galaxy is surrounded by dark matter, which blocks the wind at both ends and may stop it from slowing the expansion.
As our second lead editor, Anna C. Mackinno provides guidance on the stories Great Lakes Ledger reporters cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Anna. Anna received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.