The
Universe has experienced far fewer collisions among galaxies than previously thought, according to a new analysis of
Hubble Space Telescope data
by an ANU researcher. Astronomer Dr Alister Graham, from the Research
School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, analysed a sample of galaxies
located 100 million light years away — and discovered that the number
of violent encounters between large galaxies is around one-tenth of the
number earlier studies had suggested. Although theoretical models
predict that fewer collisions were involved in the evolution of the
universe, Dr Graham’s observations are the first that confirm these
theories.
