research on galaxy formation

Galaxy formation is a process that began shortly after the Big Bang, around 13.8 billion years ago. Initially, tiny fluctuations in density in the expanding universe led to the accumulation of gas, primarily hydrogen and helium. Over time, gravity pulled these gases together, forming the first stars and galaxies. As stars formed, they created heavier elements through nuclear fusion, enriching the surrounding gas. Mergers of smaller galaxies eventually resulted in larger structures. Today, researchers study the cosmic microwave background, galaxy surveys, and simulations to understand how these processes shaped the universe and led to the diverse galaxies we see today.