News Astronomy

High-speed gas collisions prevent star birth in galaxies’ bars

Simulations of a barred spiral galaxy explain why its bar fails to sparkle with newborn stars

Dark lanes of dust run along the yellow-orange bar in the middle of NGC 1300. That color means the region is engaged in little if any star formation—unlike the blue spiral arms.

NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage Team/AURA/STScI. Acknowledgment: P. Knezek/WIYN.

By Ken Croswell

- More than 2 years ago

The barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300 is one of the most spectacular galaxies in the heavens, but the dramatic bar that pierces its heart produces few if any stars — even though the bar abounds with the raw material for creating them.