Using the MUSE instrument on the European Southern Observatory's (ESO's) Very Large Telescope, astronomers discovered that galactic winds that limit galaxy growth and star formation are a common phenomenon in galaxies older than 7 billion years. These winds are formed by the explosions of massive stars and are difficult to detect due to their low density, but astronomers have used signals emitted by magnesium atoms to map their distribution.
Researchers used the MUSE instrument to discover galactic winds in ancient galaxies, confirming their role in limiting galaxy growth. Future research aims to measure the extent and material content of these winds.
Galactic winds enable the exchange of material between galaxies and their surroundings. In this way, they limit the growth of galaxies, thus limiting their star formation rates. Although this phenomenon has been observed in the local universe, an international team of researchers led by scientists from the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) has just revealed that it exists in galaxies more than 7 billion years old that are actively forming stars (the majority of galaxies fall into this category) using MUSE, an instrument integrated with the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope.
The team's discovery, which will be published today (December 6, 2023) in the journal Nature, shows that this is a common process.
Galactic winds are produced by the explosions of massive stars. Because they are diffuse and low-density, they are often difficult to detect. To see them, the scientists combined images of more than a hundred galaxies obtained through extremely long exposure times. By studying the signal emitted by magnesium atoms, the team also mapped the morphology of these winds, which look like cones of material ejected vertically from either side of the galactic plane.
In the future, the researchers hope to measure how far these winds extend and how much material they transport.
The team leader is affiliated with the Center for Astrophysics Research in Lyon (CNRS/ENSdeLyon/ClaudeBernardLyon1University). Scientists from the Galaxies, Étoiles, Physique, Instrumentation (GEPI) (CNRS/Paris Observatory-PSL) research laboratory and several international research groups also participated in the study.
The Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) is operated by seven leading European research laboratories, including the Center for Astrophysics in Lyon, which oversees MUSE activities.
Compiled source: ScitechDaily