The research, which combined data obtained at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma with advanced computer simulations, sheds light on a fundamental astrophysical enigma. Approximately ten billion years ago, the Universe was marked by frequent galactic mergers that, theoretically, should have destroyed the thin disk structures of spiral galaxies.

Unlike other systems, the Milky Way and its analogs lack central bulges, structures that usually provide stability. The study, involving 35 experts from 13 international institutions, analyzed 54 galaxies to understand how they have remained intact to the present day.

The findings, published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, point to two main survival paths. The first is a matter of statistical probability, where some galaxies simply avoided violent interactions. The second, more complex, involves a synchronized merger configuration where galaxies share the same plane and direction of rotation, thus protecting the integrity of their disks.

This work has resulted in the creation of the most comprehensive catalog of Milky Way-like galaxies currently available, with data now accessible to the scientific community. Additionally, the team has developed educational resources, including a comic book series, to bring these discoveries to secondary school students.