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Giant elliptical galaxies are not as likely candidates for the role of the cradles of highly developed technological civilizations. This conclusion was reached by an astrophysicist from the University of Arkansas in the course of the study, which was published May 1 in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
The scientist’s conclusions are contrary to a study carried out in 2015, which stated that, in theory, in these galaxies, the probability of intelligent extraterrestrial life is 10,000 times more than spiral. According to the authors, this is due to the fact that in elliptical structures it contains many more stars, and the percentage of potentially lethal supernova is low.
However, astrophysicist Daniel Witmer believes that this study contradicts the mediocrity principle, also known as the Copernican principle. According to him, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the object or its properties should be considered typical of its class, writes Phys.org.
Historically, this principle has been used several times to predict new physical phenomena. In particular, Isaac Newton calculated the approximate distance to the star Sirius, assuming that the Sun is a typical star, and then compared the relative brightness of two objects.
In other words, why don’t we live in a large elliptical galaxy? For me this is a serious sign. Every time you realize they stand out, that’s unusual, so it’s a problem of the mediocrity principle “- said Witmer.
According to him, the great elliptical galaxies cannot be cradles of life, because they are full of deadly radiation, which appeared during their formation. In the early stages of the birth of a star cluster through a period of quasar and supernovae formation, the astronomer said.
“The evolution of elliptical galaxies is completely different from the Milky Way. They passed the phase where the radiation was so strong that they completely destroyed any inhabited planet and subsequently the rate of star formation and, consequently, the new planets have reached a near-zero level, “Witmer said.
If an inhabited planet with intelligent life is unlikely in large elliptical galaxies, where most stars and planets, by default, galaxies like the Milky Way, will be the main candidates for the role of the cradles of such civilizations, the scientist concluded. . .
