Astronomers Uncover Key Clues to Formation of Universe’s Largest Galaxies

New research reveals that collisions between early disk galaxies fueled rapid star formation, giving rise to giant elliptical galaxies.

Scientists from the University of Southampton and international collaborators have identified the birth sites of massive elliptical galaxies using data from the ALMA telescope in Chile.
The study suggests that collisions between disk galaxies 8 to 12 billion years ago caused gas to condense at galaxy cores, triggering intense star formation at rates far exceeding that of the Milky Way.
This research provides the first direct evidence that elliptical galaxies formed through rapid starburst events in their cores during the early universe.
Researchers analyzed over 100 highly luminous galaxies from the 'Cosmic Noon' period, using a novel technique to map their light distribution and confirm their spheroidal shapes.
Future studies will integrate data from JWST, Euclid satellites, and the Chinese Space Station to create a comprehensive map of stellar components, advancing our understanding of galaxy evolution.