Astronomers using the MUSE instrument on the ESO’s Very Large Telescope, have discovered that galactic winds, which limit galaxy growth and star formation, are a universal phenomenon in galaxies over 7 billion years old. These winds, formed from massive star explosions, are difficult to detect due to their low density but were mapped using magnesium atom emission signals. Credit: SciTechDaily.com
Researchers using the
The scientists were able to identify the morphology of galactic winds. In this figure, magnesium atom emissions have been used to trace galactic winds. The flow of matter occurs along the central axis perpendicular to the galactic disc. Credit: © Yucheng Guo
Galactic winds are created by the explosion of massive stars. As they are diffuse and of low density, they are usually hard to spot. To see them, the scientists combined images of more than a hundred galaxies obtained through very long exposure times. By studying magnesium DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06718-w