An astronomer at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo is using data from the (CFHT) on Maunakea to help reconstruct a slow-motion cosmic collision, one that has been unfolding for hundreds of millions of years.
A new study from principal investigator R. Pierre Martin, a professor of at UH Hilo, and international researchers such as PhD student Camille Poitras and colleagues at Universit¨¦ Laval in Qu¨¦bec, Canada, simulates the past, present and future of two spiral galaxies, NGC 2207 and IC 2163. The findings were recently published in .
The team used a one-of-a-kind instrument on CFHT called , which can capture incredibly detailed views of entire galaxies all at once.
“Understanding what’s happening during these collisions is fundamental to our knowledge of galaxy evolution in general,” said Martin. “Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, has been through multiple interactions during its lifetime, with one of them having likely triggered the formation of our Sun, about 5 billion years ago.”
Collision timeline
The interaction began about 440 million years ago. Since then, the galaxies have slammed together, pulled apart and reconnected multiple times. Throughout time, they are expected to merge into a single system, their original structures no longer recognizable.
To trace that evolution, the team ran hundreds of simulations, mapping gas movement, star birth, supernovae explosions, chemical enrichment and structural changes across more than 600 million years.
The study shows how these encounters reshape galaxies such as mixing elements, triggering new star formation and influencing how planetary systems could emerge.
Pierre is quick to highlight that Poitras, the study¡¯s lead author, was responsible for most of the work encapsulated in the paper. For Poitras, who began the work as an undergraduate, the project highlights the value of early research experience. That same hands-on approach is central at UH Hilo.
Hands-on learning
“Telescope and lab time have become a central pillar of UH Hilo¡¯s astronomy program,” Martin said. “Even if you¡¯ve never used a telescope before in your life, for the four years you have here, it¡¯s all about hands-on experience.”
Every astronomy course includes lab work, often connecting students directly with observatories on Maunakea. Since 2017, all telescope proposals submitted through the UH Hilo telescope time allocation process must include undergraduate researchers.
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