A new Model of Galaxy Evolution

While modern physics and cosmology recognize four elemental forces throughout our universe; these forces are actually subsets of the two fundamental drivers of change in our universe—expansion and contraction. These are the two conflicting forces that keep things moving and get things done throughout creation. Everything is built, or destroyed, through these two mechanisms. In thermal systems we equate energetic expansion as heat (friction); and the lack of heat as contraction (cold). In mechanical systems we equate applied energetic expansion as movement (mechanics); and the lack of applied energetic motion as gravity. It is with this in mind that I present a new model of galactic evolution.

In 1926 Edwin Hubble proposed a hypothetical model which, until recently, has been considered the blueprint for galactic evolution. Hubble envisioned an evolutionary system that begins with small galaxies clustering together to form larger elliptical type galaxies. These ellipticals, in turn, eventually collapse into the familiar spiral-type silhouette typical of most of the galaxies we see in the universe today.

However, while Hubble’s model provides a plausible rational for most observed galactic variations; it fails to account for (or explain) many of the strange, exotic phenomenon observed by modern cosmologists; most notably—black holes and quasars. Further, although Hubble’s’ model has been modified over the years; it is still significantly flawed—primarily because it is an evolutionary dead end.

Phase 1: Spherical Elliptical

It is within this behemoth that the gravitational bonds of its central super massive black hole are eventually overcome by the electromagnetic realignment of a newly formed quasar.

This is the embryonic core of a new, re-energized active galactic nucleus (AGN). It announces its existence with the explosive ejection of two polarized jets into the surrounding interstellar medium. These eventually dissolve into a broad field of radio-loud plumes (lobes) of dust and gas.

As the exposed nucleus (AGN) begins to eject ever-increasing amounts of energetic plasma from its core, it begins to spin very rapidly. As it begins its pinwheel-like rotation, the embryonic nucleus breaks away from its two outlying jets. These detached jets will eventually reorganize themselves into dwarf elliptical galaxies and remain as companions to a newly reborn, re-energized proto-spiral galaxy. These companion galaxies are routinely observed at the periphery of mature spirals—i.e. the two Magellanic dwarf galaxies that accompany our Milky Way.

This is the next phase along the galactic evolutionary path. These are created when the active core begins to discharge its ‘heavier’ atomic material into the surrounding galactic medium. Seyferts are in fact nothing less than proto-spirals with enormous central electromagnetically active nuclei.

Likewise, mature spirals are nothing more than grown-up Seyferts. As more and more of the gases and energy in its nucleus are discharged throughout the galaxy—the nucleus diminishes in size relative to its massive galactic disc. Further, and most important, its electromagnetic field is also reduced significantly—by as much as 90% over its evolutionary transition from quasar to mature spiral.

Transitional spirals, like spherical ellipticals, are another transformative stage of development—when the active electromagnetic nucleus is replaced by a gravitational supermassive black hole. It is at this transformative moment—when the last of its nuclear fuel is spent—that the nucleus becomes detached from its spiral arms. As the streams of plasma—that once gave definition to the spiral arms—drift inward toward the super massive black hole at the center of the galaxy; older stars also begin to cluster at the galactic center. And thus a super massive black hole is born.

As the energetic nucleus runs out of fuel, the rotational momentum of the entire galaxy slows substantially. This in turn signals a further retreat of all matter toward the supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s core; leaving, in many cases, only a dust ring to define the outer boundaries of the now-extinct spiral galaxy. As the galaxy’s mass and energy begin to ‘fall’ toward the central black hole—the flat galactic disc begins to swell and expand into the familiar lenticular elliptical shape.