The reason why new stars did not form in the oldest galaxies has been revealed

When a galaxy dies, the process of star formation stops inside it, and the existing stars gradually disappear. As a result, the galaxy loses its luminosity and becomes almost invisible to astronomers. Scientists believe that the reason for the absence of new stars in galaxies is in the centers of those galaxies super massive black holes is related to. Milk The way Although not actively in the galaxy, the process of formation of new stars is still ongoing. However, there are elliptical galaxies inside which the process of forming new stars has long stopped. Such galaxies die gradually over a long period of time. It is not known exactly how the formation of new stars in these galaxies came to a halt. However, according to a new study by scientists, this is due to super-massive black holes.

First, scientists divided the galaxies into two groups. The first group includes galaxies where the formation of new stars has stopped, and the second group includes galaxies where this process is still ongoing. In addition, the scientists analyzed the activity of supermassive black holes. Researchers believe that these giant super-massive black holes, which absorb matter from their surroundings, are cosmic objects that cause the formation of new stars in galaxies to stop. When a substance absorbs matter around a black hole, strong radiation occurs and that radiation travels into space. In addition, black holes are very strong in the form of streams plasma and that current travels through space at almost the speed of light.

However, scientists are trying to find out how active the black holes in the centers of the oldest galaxies are x-ray and radio signals separated. The stronger these signals, the more active the black hole. Scientists have discovered that galaxies where the formation of new stars have stopped have active supermassive black holes. Thus, X-rays and radio signals became stronger. However, in galaxies where the formation of new stars is still ongoing, these signals are weak. Astronomers believe that active supermassive black holes are very likely to play a major role in the sudden death of ancient galaxies. In turn, scientists must study the detailed physics of such a process.