Trying to understand the differences between distant & local galaxies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences between distant galaxies, specifically SPT0418-47, and local galaxies in terms of their characteristics such as star formation rates, rotation, metallicity, and size. Participants explore how galaxies are characterized and seek resources for better understanding these differences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that understanding how galaxies are characterized is a good first step in comparing distant and local galaxies.
  • Others express uncertainty about the quality of resources provided for learning about galaxy classification.
  • A participant mentions that the classification of nearby galaxies includes elliptical, spiral, lenticular, and irregular types, with irregular galaxies being common in the local universe.
  • There is a suggestion that the characteristics of SPT0418-47 challenge the expectation that young galaxies should only be irregular and not include elliptical or spiral types.
  • One participant clarifies that in this context, 'Local' refers to redshift rather than specific galaxy groups or superclusters.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that understanding galaxy characterization is important, but there is no consensus on the best resources for this purpose. Additionally, there is a disagreement regarding the classification of galaxies and the implications of the characteristics of SPT0418-47.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the dependence on definitions of galaxy types and the unresolved nature of the characteristics expected from young versus evolved galaxies.

Cerenkov
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Hello.

The recent discovery of the galaxy SPT0418-47 has piqued my interest.

https://www.almaobservatory.org/en/images/reconstructed-view-of-spt0418-47/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPT0418-47

https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso2013/eso2013a.pdf

It's my current understanding that galaxies at this red shift are expected to display very different characteristics (star formation rates, rotation, metallicity, size, etc.) to the mature and highly-evolved galaxies in the local universe. But, it appears that certain characteristics of SPT0418-47 seem to buck this expectation.

It occurs to me that I need to discover more about how galaxies are characterised. Then, knowing this I could look at the characteristics of local galaxies and compare them to those distant ones with a better understanding.

So, this prompts me to ask the following questions.

1.
Is finding out about how galaxies are characterised a good first step in understanding the differences between distant, early galaxies and nearby, evolved ones in the local universe?

2.
If so, could I please be directed to some Basic Level resources (links, websites, blogs, etc.) that will help me achieve this?

3.
If not, could I please be guided to a better option?

4.
In the context of this topic, does the word 'Local' refer to the Local Group of galaxies, to the Virgo or Laniakea Superclusters or to a measurement relating to the redshift (z) ?

Any help given would be very much appreciated.

With thanks,

Cerenkov.
 
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1611345367898.png
Hope it helps but I am not very inteliggent on this matter
 
AndrewWayneHarville said:
View attachment 276676 Hope it helps but I am not very inteliggent on this matter
That has nothing to do with local and distant galaxies. It's referring to our Milky Way galaxy :smile:
 
Many thanks for the help folks. :smile:

I thought this thread had died stillborn.

Looks like I was wrong.

Thanks again.

Cerenkov.
 
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Cerenkov said:
Hello.

The recent discovery of the galaxy SPT0418-47 has piqued my interest.

https://www.almaobservatory.org/en/images/reconstructed-view-of-spt0418-47/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPT0418-47

https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso2013/eso2013a.pdf

It's my current understanding that galaxies at this red shift are expected to display very different characteristics (star formation rates, rotation, metallicity, size, etc.) to the mature and highly-evolved galaxies in the local universe. But, it appears that certain characteristics of SPT0418-47 seem to buck this expectation.

It occurs to me that I need to discover more about how galaxies are characterised. Then, knowing this I could look at the characteristics of local galaxies and compare them to those distant ones with a better understanding.

So, this prompts me to ask the following questions.

1.
Is finding out about how galaxies are characterised a good first step in understanding the differences between distant, early galaxies and nearby, evolved ones in the local universe?

2.
If so, could I please be directed to some Basic Level resources (links, websites, blogs, etc.) that will help me achieve this?

3.
If not, could I please be guided to a better option?
1) is correct, but the link offered for 2) is not a very good one, yet I don´ t know a better one.

The classification of nearby galaxies is basically into "elliptical" and "spiral" galaxies, with intermediate group of "lenticular"... plus "irregular" galaxies.
Irregular galaxies are common even in local universe - just look up for the Magellanic Clouds. Yet the link only briefly mentions irregular galaxies, and discusses elliptical and spiral galaxies at length.

The problem with SPT0418-47 refers to a guess that young world should have had only irregular galaxies, and no elliptic or spiral galaxies.
Cerenkov said:
4.
In the context of this topic, does the word 'Local' refer to the Local Group of galaxies, to the Virgo or Laniakea Superclusters or to a measurement relating to the redshift (z) ?
To redshift.
 

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