This indicates that most of these highly star-forming galaxies are intrinsically spherical rather than disk-shaped.

In the new study, the researchers carefully inserted 1,200 pieces of fishing line -- one at a time -- through a thin, vertical slice of material with four pores that represent spherical grains of gravel.

The inner part of the machine rotates like a screw, combining the molecules, converting the structure of the plant material from spherical shapes to fibers.

Scientists describe it as a giant spherical shell around our solar system made of icy, comet-like objects.

The shape of its hull - the part where the passengers were - was cylindrical rather than spherical so the effects of the pressure were not distributed evenly.