Big galaxies steal star-forming gas from their smaller neighbours – Phys.org

Large galaxies are known to strip the gas that occupies the space between the stars of smaller satellite galaxies.
In research published today, astronomers have discovered that these small satellite galaxies also contain less ‘molecular’ gas at their centres.
Molecular gas is found in giant clouds in the centres of galaxies and is the building material for new stars. Large galaxies are therefore stealing the material that their smaller counterparts need to form new stars.
Lead author Dr. Adam Stevens…

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