The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, used observations from the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) to measure the spins of galaxies in the filamentary structures of the cosmic web. The team then compared their observations to simulations of galaxy formation to see how the spin of galaxies was affected by their environment.
The researchers found that galaxies in filaments had their spins aligned with the direction of the filament, while galaxies in clusters did not. This suggests that the large-scale environment in which galaxies form has a significant impact on their spin.
The study also found that the spin of galaxies is related to their mass and star formation rate. More massive galaxies and those that are forming stars more rapidly tend to have their spins aligned with the cosmic web. This suggests that the spin of galaxies is linked to the way they form and evolve.
“Our study shows that the cosmic web plays a crucial role in shaping the properties of galaxies,” said lead author Dr. Giulia Salessi, from the University of Western Australia. “By measuring the spins of galaxies in the cosmic web, we have gained new insights into how galaxies form and evolve.”
The team said their findings could help to improve models of galaxy formation and evolution. “Our results will help us to understand how galaxies form and evolve within the cosmic web,” said Salessi. “This will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the history and evolution of the Universe.”
