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Abstract:

Does the environment of a galaxy directly influence the kinematics of its bar? We present observational evidence that bars in high-density environments exhibit significantly slower rotation rates than bars in low-density environments. Galactic bars are central, extended structures composed of stars, dust and gas, present in approximately 30–70 per cent of luminous spiral galaxies in the local Universe. Recent simulation studies have suggested that the environment can influence the bar rotation rate, , which is used to classify bars as either fast () or slow (). We use estimates of obtained with the Tremaine–Weinberg method applied to Integral Field Unit spectroscopy from Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory and Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area. After cross-matching these with the projected neighbour density, , we retain 286 galaxies. The analysis reveals that bars in high-density environments are significantly slower (median ) compared to bars in low-density environments (median ); Anderson–Darling p-value of (). This study marks the first empirical test of the hypothesis that fast bars are formed by global instabilities in isolated galaxies, while slow bars are triggered by tidal interactions in dense environments, in agreement with predictions from numerous N-body simulations. Future studies would benefit from a larger sample of galaxies with reliable Integral Field Unit data, required to measure bar rotation rates. Specifically, more data are necessary to study the environmental influence on bar formation within dense settings (i.e. groups, clusters and filaments).

Abstract:

Digital citizen science (DCS) operates as a socio-technical mode of public participation in research. While many DCS participants self-identify as neurodivergent, their perspectives have rarely been treated as a distinct design lens. Drawing on a large-scale 2024 survey of Zooniverse volunteers and a 2025 participatory international collaboration with 89 adult neurodivergent citizen scientists and allies contributing across multiple DCS platforms, this study develops an actionable framework of accessibility guidelines for neuro-inclusive DCS. Thematic text analysis of two qualitative datasets (84 working-group contributions and 1,669 de-identified 2024 survey responses) identified recurring accessibility barriers and organised 91 recommended features into 11 functional domains spanning participation from onboarding and task engagement to interface customisation, moderation, safety, and outreach. The framework positions neuro-inclusive accessibility as a methodological component shaping participation, retention, and research practice. Grounded in neurodivergent lived experience, the guidelines create pathways for more flexible participation across diverse DCS contexts.

Abstract:

Abstract We present morphological classifications of over 41 000 galaxies out to zphot ∼ 2.5 across six square degrees of the Euclid Deep Field North (EDFN) from the Hawaii Twenty Square Degree (H20) survey, a part of the wider Cosmic Dawn survey. Galaxy Zoo citizen scientists play a crucial role in the examination of large astronomical data sets through crowdsourced data mining of extragalactic imaging. This iteration, Galaxy Zoo: Cosmic Dawn (GZCD), saw tens of thousands of volunteers and the deep learning foundation model Zoobot collectively classify objects in ultra-deep multiband Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) imaging down to a depth of mHSC − i = 21.5. Here, we present the details and general analysis of this iteration, including the use of Zoobot in an active learning cycle to improve both model performance and volunteer experience, as well as the discovery of 51 new gravitational lenses in the EDFN. We also announce the public data release of the classifications for over 45 000 subjects, including more than 41 000 galaxies (median zphot of 0.42 ± 0.23), along with their associated image cutouts. This data set provides a valuable opportunity for follow-up imaging of objects in the EDFN as well as acting as a truth set for training deep learning models for application to ground-based surveys like that of the Ultraviolet Near-Infrared Optical Northern Survey (UNIONS) collaboration and the newly operational Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

Abstract:

Stellar bars are elongated structures in disk galaxies that can torque and funnel gas inward, influencing galaxy evolution. While strong bars are known to induce rapid inflow, the impact of weaker bars remains less certain. We collected spectroscopic data using the Isaac Newton Telescope to analyze 18 nearby galaxies (strongly barred, weakly barred, and unbarred) drawn from Galaxy Zoo DESI. We obtained spatial profiles of equivalent width (EW) and ionized gas velocity dispersion by fitting Gaussian profiles to the Hα emission line. Strongly barred galaxies exhibit a distinctive three-peaked EW[Hα] structure, consistent with inward funneling of gas. Weakly barred systems lack this pattern, which suggests limited inflow. Velocity dispersion distributions further distinguish the bar types, with strongly barred galaxies showing significantly higher values than weakly barred and unbarred systems. These results suggest that strong bars drive gas inflow, while weak bars exert a limited dynamical influence.