Recent research has revealed a fundamental cosmic cycle involving carbon, an essential element for life, which is formed in stars and redistributed in space through the circumgalactic medium (CGM). This medium acts as a cosmic conveyor belt, facilitating the recycling of star-created materials back into galaxies, where they play a critical role in star and planet formation. Stars generate heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and iron during their life cycles, particularly in their explosive supernovae upon death. These elements are then dispersed into space before being reabsorbed into their home galaxies, contributing to the creation of new celestial bodies.
Researchers at the University of Washington and other institutions confirmed that the CGM also transports lower-temperature materials like carbon, enriching star-forming galaxies. Using the Hubble Space Telescope’s Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, they found significant carbon presence in the CGM of various galaxies, extending over vast distances. Understanding this recycling process is crucial for comprehending galaxy evolution. As galaxies eventually slow down their recycling rates, the balance of materials available for star formation will decline, leading to potential stellar deserts. Further studies aim to explore the composition of the CGM across different galaxies, shedding light on the future of galactic evolution.
