The Digital Press

Stellar halos of Milky Way-mass galaxies show similar structural and velocity patterns regardless of their cosmic web environment. This suggests small-scale events like satellite mergers shape halos more than large-scale cosmic structures.

Why it matters: Understanding halo formation helps clarify galaxy evolution and the role of environment in shaping galaxies.

The big picture: Stellar halo properties depend more on random merger histories than on the galaxy’s large-scale cosmic web setting.

Stunning stat: No significant difference in spatial or velocity anisotropy profiles across different cosmic web environments.

The stakes: Ignoring small-scale processes risks oversimplifying models of galaxy structure and evolution at Milky Way mass scales.