Cosmic rays, according to VLA observations, can play an important role in driving winds that rob galaxies of the gas needed to form new stars. This mechanism may have played an important role in galactic evolution, particularly earlier in the universe’s history.
Astronomers using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) of the National Science Foundation have discovered an important new clue about how galaxies slow down vigorous episodes of star formation. Their new research on the neighboring galaxy M33 suggests that fast-moving cosmic ray electrons can generate winds that blow away the gas required to form new stars.
These winds are responsible for slowing the rate of star formation as galaxies evolve over time. However, shock waves from supernova explosions and energetic, black hole-powered jets of material from galactic cores have been identified as the primary drivers of those winds. Cosmic rays were thought to be minor contributors, particularly in galaxies like M33 that have regions of prolific star formation.
We’ve seen galactic winds driven by cosmic rays in our own Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, which have much lower rates of star formation, but never before in a galaxy like M33.
Fatemah Tabatabaei
“We’ve seen galactic winds driven by cosmic rays in our own Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, which have much lower rates of star formation, but never before in a galaxy like M33,” said Fatemah Tabatabaei of Iran’s Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences.
Tabatabaei and an international team of scientists made detailed, multi-wavelength VLA observations of M33, a spiral galaxy nearly 3 million light-years away and part of the Local Group of galaxies that includes the Milky Way. They also used data from previous observations with the VLA, the Effelsberg radio telescope in Germany, and millimeter-wave, visible-light, and infrared telescopes.
Stars much more massive than our Sun speed through their life cycles, ultimately exploding as supernovae. The explosive shock waves can accelerate particles to nearly the speed of light, creating cosmic rays. Enough of these cosmic rays can build pressure that drives winds carrying away the gas needed to continue forming stars.
“The VLA observations indicated that cosmic rays in M33 are escaping the regions where they are born, making them able to drive more extensive winds,” said William Cotton, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Based on their observations, the astronomers concluded that the numerous supernova explosions and supernova remnants in M33’s giant complexes of prolific star formation made such cosmic ray-driven winds more likely.
“This means that cosmic rays probably are a more general cause of galactic winds, particularly at earlier times in the universe’s history, when star formation was happening at a much higher rate,” Tabatabaei said. She added, “This mechanism thus becomes a more important factor in understanding the evolution of galaxies over time.”
