This unique measurement essentially states that the faster the stars motion, the greater the galaxy's mass. This is the same method that is used to determine the mass of the Earth from the orbital speed and distance of the Moon. The team also observed two distant, interacting galaxies that also seem to have comparably high masses. The results found show that very heavy structures were formed in the Universe at a relatively early era. The way stars evolve within galaxies and how galaxies evolve into various shapes is extremely important to cosmological studies.
Some galaxies are elliptical in shape, while others look like single or multiple spirals.
These observations reduce the effects of dust obscuration and help them pin down the active phases of galaxy evolution when star formation within a galaxy is notably intense. Astronomers still don't know what it is that elicits phases of star-forming activity, but they theorize that galaxy collisions and unions might be part of it. They do know that star formation occurs deep within thick dust clouds that absorb optical and UV light from young stars and emit it once again in the infrared region of the spectrum. Evidence of this phenomenon can best be seen within that spectral band. Therefore, infrared observations are extremely important in learning more about these powerful incidents in the Universe.