Galaxies are large islands of stars, gasoline, dust and dark matter held collectively by gravity. On the annual assembly of the American Astronomical Society on January 8, 2024, astronomers from the Inexperienced Financial institution Observatory in West Virginia said they’ve discovered an uncommon galaxy: one with none stars. They usually found it utterly by chance!
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Discovering a galaxy with out stars
Astronomers have been utilizing radio telescopes unfold around the globe, together with the one at Inexperienced Financial institution, to survey some 350 low-surface-brightness galaxies. Senior scientist of the Inexperienced Financial institution Observatory, Karen O’Neil, defined:
The aim was to find out the gasoline and dynamic plenty of those ultra-diffuse galaxies. To do that, we noticed them from a number of devices, and lots of of them greater than as soon as.
However they seen a discrepancy of their information. And to make sure, after they took a better look, they discovered that the Inexperienced Financial institution Observatory’s telescope was trying within the flawed place. O’Neil stated:
The Inexperienced Financial institution Telescope was unintentionally pointed to the flawed coordinates and located this object. It’s a galaxy made solely out of gasoline … it has no seen stars. Stars might be there, we simply can’t see them.
Meet J0613+52
Astronomers named the galaxy J0613+52. And whereas it undoubtedly has a low-surface brightness, it’s not like different galaxies they’ve noticed earlier than, nevertheless. Whereas there’s nonetheless a lot to find out about it, O’Neill defined what they’ve found about this distinctive galaxy:
What we do know is that it’s an extremely gas-rich galaxy. It’s not demonstrating star formation like we’d count on, most likely as a result of its gasoline is simply too diffuse. On the similar time, it’s too removed from different galaxies for them to assist set off star formation by way of any encounters. J0613+52 seems to be each undisturbed and underdeveloped. This might be our first discovery of a close-by galaxy made up of primordial gasoline.
The galaxy lies about 270 million light-years away.
Extra to study
Studying extra about this gas-rich however diffuse and star-poor galaxy may assist astronomers perceive the evolution of galaxies usually. Certainly, astronomers assume acquiring a deep optical picture in a number of bands may uncover a few of its darkish secrets and techniques. However, J0613+52’s low floor density would possibly make it unattainable to look at at different wavelengths. So, perhaps to study extra about this starless galaxy, we’ll must first discover extra prefer it. O’Neil stated:
A full sky survey by an especially delicate instrument just like the Inexperienced Financial institution Telescope may uncover extra of those objects.
Backside line: Astronomers pointed a radio telescope on the flawed coordinates in space and ended up discovering a primordial galaxy with out stars. This gas-rich galaxy can train us in regards to the evolution of galaxies, together with our personal.
