Artificial Intelligence Peers Into The Hearts Of Galaxies

Researchers are now using artificial intelligence to peer into the hearts of thousands of galaxies, according to a recent study at the Australian National University (ANU).

Ph.D Astrophysics student Elise Hampton was fascinated with neural networks and galaxies, so she created a program where she could use artificial intelligence to help her to see into the hearts of galaxies, according to a news release.

"I love artificial intelligence. It was actually a very simple program to write, once I learnt how," Hampton said. "The program took eight minutes to analyze 300,000 data points from 1,188 galaxies. For one person to do it would have taken years."

Artificial Neural Networks are made up of computer programs similar to the brain, that work as an interconnected set of individual processors, similar to neurons, according to the study. This program is capable of adapting and learning, unlike traditional computer programs. Hampton's computer program can analyze galaxies using 4,000 spectra that were previously analyzed by astrophysicists.

When Hampton created this program, her main objective was to single out some of the most messy and turbulent galaxies. Hampton study focused specifically on galaxies with bright glowing centers powered by black holes, which cause giant galactic waves, according to the study.  

"We believe these winds blow so much material out of the galaxies that they eventually starve themselves to death," Hampton said.

Since galactic winds sometimes hinder the formation of new stars, Hampton is focusing on the how different processes function in turbulent galaxies and how galaxies live and die. It is possible for astronomers to understand the spectra of messy galaxies and distinguish light from stars forming, matter falling into black holes, and supersonic galactic winds. Galaxy spectra can be measure using robotic telescopes, however with Hampton's program, this process could be a little less exhausting for astronomers. 

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