In a groundbreaking discovery, an international research team led by a scientist from the Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon (CNRS / ENS de Lyon / Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University) has unveiled the universal nature of galactic winds and their impact on star formation. The team utilized the powerful Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE), integrated into the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope, to observe galaxies more than 7 billion years old actively forming stars.
The findings, set to be published in Nature on December 6, 2023, shed light on a phenomenon that had previously been observed only in the local universe. Galactic winds, generated by the explosions of massive stars, play a crucial role in limiting the growth of galaxies, specifically by constraining their star formation rates.
Despite the elusive nature of galactic winds, which are diffuse and low-density, the scientists employed an innovative approach. They combined images from over a hundred galaxies, captured through extended exposure times, and focused on studying the emission signals of magnesium atoms. This allowed them to map the morphology of galactic winds, revealing distinctive cones of matter ejected perpendicularly from both sides of the galactic plane.
The universality of this process unveils a fundamental aspect of galaxy evolution and challenges previous assumptions about the influence of galactic winds on ancient star-forming galaxies. Moving forward, the researchers aim to measure the extent of these winds and quantify the amount of matter they transport, offering further insights into the dynamic interplay between galaxies and their surroundings.
Note: The team’s leader is affiliated with the Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon (CNRS / ENS de Lyon / Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University), and the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) is operated by seven leading European research laboratories, including the Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon.
Reference: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/12/231206115826.htm
