Billions of years have passed since gravity first sculpted the universe, creating a complex structure of threads, processes, and voids known as the cosmic web. Galaxies are distributed along these threads like beads on a string. Seeking to understand how these thread-created environments impact galaxy evolution, astronomer Farkhan Khasan from the University of New Mexico, along with his colleagues, embarked on a study.
To accurately study the cosmic web, which is a mixture of gas, galaxies, and dark matter, scientists faced a challenging task. While stars in galaxies are easily observable, the rest of the cosmic web is not as visible. To address this issue, Hassan and his team enlisted the help of a unique organism known as Slyzer , which excels in examining its surroundings using its membranes.
These single-celled organisms were instrumental in combining points within a computer simulation of the Universe. Researchers utilized the abilities of mucous membranes to navigate labyrinths, solve logical problems, and create effective computer algorithms. By employing an algorithm inspired by Slyzeri, Hassan and his team were able to map connections in the simulated universe at different points in time with impressive accuracy.
The research, detailed in a publication in the Astrophysical Journal , revealed that the material drawn into the cosmic web had a significant impact on galaxy evolution over time. While early stages of galaxy formation seemed unaffected by proximity or thickness of cosmic threads, mature galaxies were impacted as material drawn into the web disrupted star formation in nearby galaxies.
Astrophysicist Ari Maller from the New York Institute of Technology highlighted the challenge of accurately describing the cosmic web’s influence on galaxy evolution. The algorithm inspired by mucous membranes proved to be a valuable tool in this research, paving the way for further studies to expand our understanding of the cosmic web’s role in shaping galaxies.