Galaxy Formation
by BradfordA Cosmic Formula? is authored by Phil Berardelli. The article begins with the cogent observation that, like the origin of life, the existence of galaxies poses the conundrum of how they arose. Evidence that some galaxies would have formed relatively quickly after the big bang, when conditions in the younger universe would have disrupted galaxy formation, call into question formation models.
Michael Disney, of Cardiff University in the U.K., led a team of astronomers which investigated shared characteristics of galaxies in the hope of uncovering clues about galaxy evolution. The galaxies studied had diverse characteristics which nevertheless yielded a surprising find. From the article:
They found that if you measure a particular quantity for a galaxy, such as its size, you can infer all of its other main properties, such as luminosity, mass, and gas content. "What totally surprised us is the idea that such a diverse population is nevertheless controlled by a single, so-far-unidentified parameter," says Disney. "If you ask me, this throws the whole troubled theory of galaxy formation back into the melting pot."
Theories about galaxy formation remain unsettled.
November 1st, 2008 at 9:58 am
Interesting post! In the current post at OutsideTheBox on ”Markers of Intelligence”, I argue that there is a principle of "self organization" that is evident on the cosmic scale (galaxy formation, etc.), and in chemical and biological processes. Science seeks natural mechanisms for all such processes (and I applaud the effort!). But the more we learn about these natural processes of self organization, the more strongly is the case made for Denton's "directed evolution", or Gene's "front-loaded evolution".
Comment by Cliff Martin — November 1, 2008 @ 9:58 am
November 1st, 2008 at 11:03 am
Cliff Martin:
Indeed. Ponder fine-tuning and realize how very narrow are the causal pathways to the observed results.
Comment by Bradford — November 1, 2008 @ 11:03 am
November 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I'm not sure how this entry relates to Telic Thoughts. It seems to me as if the teleology here is nothing but "What else can it be?" Is there some theoretical basis for thinking that there's an end purpose behind galaxy formation in general? I've only heard of the suggestion that our galaxy was formed the way it was for our benefit. Is the idea that there are many, many similarly blessed lifeforms must exist in other galaxies?
Comment by don provan — November 7, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
November 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
don provan:
Anything related to the natural world or the universe containing it is fair game here. Sometimes stories are posted simply because they are interesting or informative. If I were to attach an argument here it would be that theoretical options should be kept open when uncertainty exists about even basic origin matters.
Comment by Bradford — November 7, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
November 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Where did you learn about teleology?
Hopefully not by just reading blogs and their comments.
"The Privileged Planet" states the universe was designed for discovery- scientific discovery. Not just the galaxy and not for mour benefit.
However it is obvious that a universe designed for discovery requires discoverers. That would be us- at least.
No but ID ups the odds that there are other intelligent observers.
Comment by ID guy — November 7, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
November 7th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I'm sorry, I wasn't clear enough. I thought it was clear that the blog entry thought there was a telic relation, and I'm asking for more details. I did not mean to imply that the entry was somehow off topic.
Comment by don provan — November 7, 2008 @ 9:30 pm