Exploring a Galactic Twin: NGC 3521 and the Milky Way in Metal-THINGS

The Metal-THINGS project studied NGC 3521, a galaxy resembling the Milky Way, to compare their chemical evolution. Oxygen and nitrogen abundance gradients suggest inside-out galaxy formation, with NGC 3521 showing stable inner oxygen levels but less outer mass exchange than the Milky Way. While structurally similar, their evolutionary differences highlight diverse processes in galaxy development, offering insights into the unique paths of Milky Way-like galaxies.