tomeatworld said:So I was reading through a textbook and came across the term 'close encounter' but no definition or explination of what it means. From what I can make out, I would assume it's referring to asteroid interaction with young galaxies and the role in forming galaxies and stars but this is all guesswork. Can anyone give me a good explination/link to an explination of what exactly 'close encounters' refers to/means.
Cheers!
tomeatworld said:I'm not sure I understand. How can the close encounters of galaxies cause the creation of different typed galaxies.
As a guess, I'd think that maybe the close encounters will cause the slowing of (any) rotation and so elliptical galaxies.
Galaxies form through a process of gravitational attraction between gas, dust, and stars. This leads to the formation of larger and larger structures, eventually creating a galaxy.
A 'close encounter' refers to the interaction between two or more galaxies, where their gravitational forces influence and shape each other's structures.
Yes, close encounters can have a significant impact on the formation of galaxies. They can trigger bursts of star formation, change the shape and structure of a galaxy, and even lead to the merging of multiple galaxies.
Scientists use various methods, such as computer simulations, observations from telescopes and satellites, and mathematical models, to study close encounters and galaxy formation. These methods allow them to understand the processes involved and make predictions about the evolution of galaxies.
Yes, there are different types of galaxies that can form through close encounters, such as elliptical, spiral, and irregular galaxies. The type of galaxy formed depends on the initial conditions and the dynamics of the encounter.