The origin of the most hidden galaxies in the cosmos, and also the brightest ones, was unclear. Now, a study led by researcher Desika Narayanan from Haverford College (USA) in which several simulations have been carried out on the formation of these objects, has revealed how the accumulation of gas over a billion years has been the real “cause” of the origin of these submillimeter galaxies.
In these types of galaxies, the rate of star formation is up to 1,000 times greater than that of the Milky Way. It is precisely these extreme high-rate stellar-creation properties and their superb brilliance that have confused astronomers regarding existing models of galaxy formation.
To confirm or disprove existing theories, the international team of astronomers developed galaxy creation simulations capable of forming submillimeter galaxies in a manner consistent with all their properties . These reproductions have allowed theorizing that its high rate of star creation appears to be fueled by a large reservoir of gas, rather than through large mergers, as previously discussed.
” The results indicate that they are not transient events, but natural long-duration phases in the evolution of massive galaxies, sustaining star formation rates of between 500 and 1,000 solar masses per year for one billion years,” the authors explain.
The study has been published in the journal Nature .
