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Galactic Bar

All articles tagged with #galactic bar

JWST uncovers a fully formed galactic bar in the early universe, challenging bar-formation theory
science2 months ago

JWST uncovers a fully formed galactic bar in the early universe, challenging bar-formation theory

JWST spotted a long, fully formed stellar bar in GN20, a massive galaxy from the early universe, contradicting three predictions that bars shouldn’t exist in young, gas-rich disks. Independent dust maps corroborate the structure, suggesting turbulence-driven gas dynamics can stabilize bars and drive central starbursts and black hole growth. The finding implies early galaxies matured faster than models predicted and will prompt revisions to simulations, with follow-up kinematic studies planned (e.g., ALMA).

Sun’s Galactic Escape Tracked by Gaia’s Twin Stars
space5 months ago

Sun’s Galactic Escape Tracked by Gaia’s Twin Stars

A Gaia-based study of ~2 billion stars found 6,594 solar twins clustered in the 4–6 billion-year range near the Sun’s current orbit, suggesting a mass outward migration from the galactic core during the Milky Way’s bar formation. The temporary lowering of a corotation barrier likely allowed Sun-like stars to drift outward, placing our Sun in a calmer region conducive to life.

Sun’s outward drift in the Milky Way billions of years ago may have fostered Earth’s life
astronomy5 months ago

Sun’s outward drift in the Milky Way billions of years ago may have fostered Earth’s life

New Gaia-based research suggests the Sun and many Sun-like stars formed at similar times and distances from the Milky Way’s center and likely migrated outward from the galactic core about 4–6 billion years ago as the Milky Way’s central bar evolved. This outward journey could have placed our solar system in a calmer outer disk for much of its history, potentially aiding Earth’s habitability and the emergence of life. The findings stem from two astronomy studies analyzing ~6,600 solar twins within ~1,000 light-years and will be broadened with upcoming Gaia data.

Galactic road trip of sun-like stars may explain Earth's life-friendly place
science5 months ago

Galactic road trip of sun-like stars may explain Earth's life-friendly place

A Gaia-based study identified about 6,600 Sun-like stars with similar ages and compositions that likely migrated outward from the Milky Way’s crowded center during the formation of the galaxy’s central bar 4–6 billion years ago, suggesting the Sun itself may have moved into a quieter outer disk and offering a possible explanation for Earth’s habitable environment.