NASA | Astronomers Uncover a Surprising Trend in Galaxy Evolution

The video explores the evolution of disk galaxies, challenging previous beliefs that they reached their current state billions of years ago. Led by Susan Kassin at NASA, the study reveals that galaxies have become more ordered over time, spinning faster and reducing disordered motions. The research utilized data from the Keck and Hubble telescopes, highlighting the role of galaxy mass in organization. The study suggests that past galaxy disorder was due to material bombardment, which has decreased over time. Future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope are expected to provide further insights. This new understanding of galaxy evolution includes the period of the solar system's formation and the origin of life on Earth.

What was the traditional belief about the state of disk galaxies a billion years ago?

• They were rapidly expanding.

• They were chaotic and disordered.

• They were mostly non-existent.

• They were similar to galaxies today.

What tool was used to determine the rotation speed of galaxies?

• Keck Telescopes

• Hubble Space Telescope

• James Webb Space Telescope

• Chandra X-ray Observatory

How does the mass of a galaxy affect its organization?

• Less massive galaxies are more organized.

• Mass has no effect on organization.

• More massive galaxies are less organized.

• More massive galaxies are more organized.

What is one reason early galaxies were more disordered?

• They were closer to black holes.

• They had less gravitational pull.

• They experienced more material bombardment.

• They had fewer stars.

What future tool is needed to gain detailed measurements of galaxy evolution?

• Spitzer Space Telescope

• James Webb Space Telescope

• Very Large Telescope

• Hubble Space Telescope