What is the primary mechanism creating the largest Elliptical galaxies?
Answer
Major merger events between galaxies
The consensus points to major merger events as the primary pathway responsible for forming the largest elliptical galaxies. When two or more spiral galaxies collide, the violent gravitational interaction disrupts the previously delicate and ordered rotational structures, such as the progenitor disks. This chaotic process triggers an immense, rapid burst of star formation—a 'starburst'—that quickly consumes all readily available star-forming fuel in a frenzy. Following this massive consumption and the destruction of organized structure, the remnant galaxy settles into the smooth, featureless, ellipsoidal shape characteristic of a giant elliptical, which then remains largely quiescent.
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