When Bars Take Shape: Tracing the History of Galactic Bars Across Cosmic Time

This study presents the first large sample of bar age measurements in nearby galaxies, using nuclear discs to trace bar formation. The authors find that bars formed across a wide range of cosmic time and that older bars tend to be longer, stronger, and linked to reduced star formation. Surprisingly, bar age doesn’t correlate with galaxy mass, challenging the downsizing theory.