Published , Modified Abstract on Satellite Galaxies Can Form Stars When They Pass Close to Their Parent Galaxies Original source
Satellite Galaxies Can Form Stars When They Pass Close to Their Parent Galaxies
Satellite galaxies are small galaxies that orbit larger galaxies, known as parent galaxies. These satellite galaxies are believed to have formed from the same material as their parent galaxies and have been observed to move in a circular path around their parent galaxy. However, recent research has shown that satellite galaxies can continue to form stars even when they pass close to their parent galaxy.
What are Satellite Galaxies?
Satellite galaxies are small galaxies that orbit larger galaxies, known as parent galaxies. These satellite galaxies are believed to have formed from the same material as their parent galaxies and have been observed to move in a circular path around their parent galaxy. Satellite galaxies can be found in groups or clusters of galaxies and can range in size from a few thousand stars to several million stars.
The Traditional View of Satellite Galaxies
The traditional view of satellite galaxies is that they are passive objects that do not form new stars. This view is based on the assumption that the gas within satellite galaxies is stripped away by the gravitational forces of the parent galaxy, leaving them devoid of the material needed for star formation.
The New View of Satellite Galaxies
Recent research has shown that satellite galaxies can continue to form stars even when they pass close to their parent galaxy. This new view challenges the traditional view of satellite galaxies and suggests that they may be more active than previously thought.
The research was conducted by an international team of astronomers who used data from the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based observatories to study a group of satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way. The team found that some of these satellite galaxies were forming new stars even though they were passing close to their parent galaxy.
How Do Satellite Galaxies Form Stars?
The researchers believe that the gas within satellite galaxies is not completely stripped away by the gravitational forces of the parent galaxy. Instead, some gas is able to remain within the satellite galaxy and can be used to form new stars.
The gas within satellite galaxies can be heated by the radiation from nearby stars, causing it to expand and cool. This process can create pockets of gas that are dense enough to collapse under their own gravity, forming new stars.
Implications of the New View
The new view of satellite galaxies has important implications for our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. It suggests that satellite galaxies may be more active than previously thought and that they may play a more significant role in the evolution of their parent galaxies.
The researchers also suggest that the new view may help to explain why some satellite galaxies have been observed to have a higher rate of star formation than others. This could be due to differences in the amount of gas that is able to remain within the satellite galaxy.
Conclusion
Satellite galaxies are small galaxies that orbit larger galaxies, known as parent galaxies. The traditional view of satellite galaxies is that they are passive objects that do not form new stars. However, recent research has shown that satellite galaxies can continue to form stars even when they pass close to their parent galaxy. This new view challenges our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution and suggests that satellite galaxies may play a more significant role in these processes than previously thought.
FAQs
1. What are satellite galaxies?
Satellite galaxies are small galaxies that orbit larger galaxies, known as parent galaxies.
2. What is the traditional view of satellite galaxies?
The traditional view of satellite galaxies is that they are passive objects that do not form new stars.
3. What is the new view of satellite galaxies?
The new view of satellite galaxies is that they can continue to form stars even when they pass close to their parent galaxy.
4. How do satellite galaxies form stars?
Satellite galaxies can form stars by using gas pockets created by heated gas from nearby stars.
5. What are the implications of the new view of satellite galaxies?
The new view of satellite galaxies has important implications for our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. It suggests that satellite galaxies may be more active than previously thought and that they may play a more significant role in the evolution of their parent galaxies.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.