Thai Astronomers Uncover Clues to Galaxy Evolution Through Intensive Data Analysis

Researchers from the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), have conducted one of the largest studies Thai astronomers ever undertook, analyzing more than 1.1 million galaxies to investigate how galaxies have evolved over the Universe’s 13.8-billion-year history.

The research, led by Dr Suttikoon Koonkor, NARIT researcher in Cosmology and High Energy Astrophysics, provides new evidence that the Universe contains more faint galaxies than expected, suggesting that current models of galaxy evolution and star formation may need to be updated.

The research also highlights complementary study using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which found an unexpectedly large number of bright galaxies in the early Universe. Together, these studies challenge existing theories and could lead to a better understanding of how galaxies, stars, and large-scale cosmic structures formed and evolved over time, suggesting that revision in current theoretical models of galaxy formation may be required.

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) is one of the achievements of Thailand’s research sector under the support of the Thai Government and MHESI. It highlights the importance of astronomy in Thailand and the development of highly skilled researchers, helping advance the country’s research and innovation capabilities. The institute also promotes collaboration with international organizations, strengthening science as a form of Thailand’s “soft power” at both regional and global levels.