How do galaxies expand within the intricate cosmic web of the universe? New simulations show how thousands of galaxies evolve by traveling through the strands of gas, dust and stars that make up the universe’s “cosmic web.”
The University of Kansas is conducting a study to gain a better understanding of how clusters of galaxies are shaped as they navigate through the cosmic web. Led by Professor Gregory Rudnick, the team is using computer simulations to recreate the cosmic web and analyze the gas content and star-formation properties of galaxies as they move through it. The study will utilize images from various surveys and additional observations will be made using Siena’s Planewave telescope. The main objective of the project is to comprehend how environmental factors impact the transformation of galaxies. Galaxies can be found in clusters, groups, or in more isolated regions known as “the field.” Previous studies have overlooked the elongated filamentary structures that connect clustered galaxies, but this study aims to factor in these structures and understand their influence on galaxy evolution.
A screenshot from a computer simulation of galaxies embedded with filaments of gas and dust. (Image credit: Yannick Bahé) According to Rudnick, galaxies follow a trajectory through these filaments, encountering a high-density environment for the first time before progressing into groups and clusters. By studying galaxies within filaments, we are able to analyze the initial interactions between galaxies and dense environments.
Rudnick further explains that the majority of galaxies that enter the urban centers of clusters do so along the cosmic web superhighways, while only a small number take rural routes that lead them into the clusters and groups with minimal interaction with their surroundings. These less-traveled routes into dense regions can be compared to driving on rural roads in Kansas to access city limits.
Rudnick emphasizes that filaments are similar to interstate highways, while the less-traveled routes represent the analogy of driving on rural roads. Galaxies can either exist within filaments or be part of groups that reside within filaments, resembling beads on a string. In fact, the majority of galaxies in the universe are found within groups.
The team hopes that through this simulation, they will gain valuable insights into the initial effects of the environment on galaxies and unravel the behavior of galaxies within filaments and groups, where they are commonly found.
Trapped galaxies birthing stars The KU team’s work involves evaluating how the cosmic web filaments’ conditions impact the gas processing in areas of high density, known as the “baryon cycle.” Disruptions in this cycle can either enhance or impede the formation of stars, thereby influencing the growth rate of galaxies.
According to Rudnick, the space between galaxies contains a significant amount of gas, with most of the universe’s atoms residing in this gas. This intergalactic gas can accumulate onto galaxies, undergoing a transformation into stars. However, the efficiency of this process is relatively low, with only a small percentage contributing to star formation. The majority of the gas is expelled as large winds.
Some of these winds become outflows that blow away from galaxies into space, while other wind-blown matter falls back to its original galaxy, gets accreted, and eventually becomes part of the baryon cycle.
The Pleiades star cluster: A gathering of galaxies connected by filaments of gas and dust. (Image credit: Getty Images) Rudnick provided an explanation that galaxies can be perceived as mechanisms that process baryons. They draw gas from the intergalactic medium and convert a portion of it into stars. As a result, stars go supernova and generate heavier elements. Some of the gas is expelled into space, forming a galactic fountain that eventually returns to the galaxy.
When galaxies come across a dense environment in the cosmic web, they have the ability to alter their internal pressure and disrupt the baryon cycle. This can occur through the active removal of gas from the galaxy or by depriving it of its future gas supply.
Consequently, the galactic star factories located at the centers of clusters slow down their star-birthing process as their raw material for star formation is suppressed.
Rudnick stated that this disruption impacts the intake and expulsion of gas by galaxies, leading to changes in their star formation mechanisms. Although there may be a temporary increase in star formation, it typically results in a subsequent decline.
The team’s simulations aim to enhance scientists’ understanding of the baryon cycle, which has been identified as a significant scientific topic for the next decade according to the Astro2020 Decadal survey.
Furthermore, the research project will involve science outreach to high school students in Kansas and New Jersey until 2026. This will involve providing 11 MacBook Pros to schools, enabling students to actively engage with the research.
This article is republished from livescience under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .
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