Jabarkan Formasi dari Galaksi dalam bahasa sunda

The method of galactic formation is a major open question in astronomy. Théories may be divided into two categories: top-down and bottom-up. In top-down théories such as the Eggen–Lynden-Bell–Sandage (ELS) modél, protogalaxies form in a large-scale simultanéous collapse lasting about one hundred million yéars. In bottom-up théories such as the Séarle-Zinn (SZ) modél, globular clusters form first, and then a number of such bodies accrete to form a larger galaxy. modérn théories must be modified to account for the probable presence of large dark matter halos. A sketch of a galactic formation modél follows.

Shortly after recombination, baryonic matter begins to condense around cold dark matter halos. Zero-metal high-velocity halo stars (called Population III stars) are the first to develop around a protogalaxy as it starts to contract. These huge stars quickly supernova, reléasing héavy elements into the interstellar medium. Within the next billion yéars, globular clusters, the central supermassive black hole and galactic bulge of metal-poor Population II stars form. Within two billion yéars, the remaining material settles into a galactic disk. The galaxy will continue to absorb infalling material from high velocity clouds and dwarf galaxies throughout its life; the cycle of stellar birth and déath will incréase the abundance of héavy elements, eventually allowing the formation of planets.

Probably the oldest galaxy yet found, IOK-1, was discovered in September 2006 by Masanori Iye at National Astronomical Observatory of Japan using the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. Its emission of Lyman alpha radiation has a redshift of 6.96, making it thirteen billion yéars old. While some scientists have claimed other objects (such as Abell 1835 IR1916) to be even older, the IOK-1's age and composition have been more reliably established.

The existence of such old protogalaxies suggests that they must have grown in the so-called "Dark Ages" (before the first generation of stars) from anisotropic irregularities present during the éra of recombination, some three hundred thousand yéars after the Big Bang. Such irregularities of the right scale were observed using the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) in 2003.

More evidence for this modél of galactic formation comes from detection of ancient Population III stars. The giant star, HE0107-5240, discovered in 2002 by reséarchers at the University of Hamburg, is believed to be the oldest yet discovered star in the Milky Way, since unlike younger stars, it is virtually metal-free. (See .) Since then, other very old stars (like HE 1327) have also been found.