Chance Discovery: Astronomers Uncover Dark, Starless Galaxy
In the realm of galaxies, our minds often conjure images of luminous spiral formations teeming with stars and cosmic gases. However, a distinct category known as low-surface-brightness galaxies challenges this conventional perception. These galaxies, characterized by sparse stars and unconventional appearances, typically harbor more dark matter and predominantly consist of gas, with few discernible stars.
Accidental Discovery with the Green Bank Telescope
During a comprehensive survey of 350 low-surface-brightness galaxies utilizing the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), astronomers serendipitously stumbled upon an extraordinary specimen. Positioned 270 million light-years away, J0613+52 stands out for its apparent absence of stars, presenting as a vast, rotating mass of gas.
Karen O’Neil, senior scientist of the Green Bank Observatory, elaborated on the unexpected finding: “The GBT was accidentally pointed to the wrong coordinates and found this object. It’s a galaxy made only out of gas — it has no visible stars. Stars could be there, we just can’t see them.”
An Anomaly in Galactic Composition
The research team, employing multiple telescopes to scrutinize the properties of the 350 galaxies, encountered this singular celestial entity. Unlike typical galaxies where gas acts as the precursor for star formation, J0613+52 defies expectations. Despite its rich gas content, the galaxy appears devoid of the dense gas concentrations necessary for gravitational forces to initiate star birth. Moreover, its isolation from other galaxies negates external triggers for star formation.
Karen O’Neil further noted, “J0613+52 appears to be both undisturbed and underdeveloped. This could be our first discovery of a nearby galaxy made up of primordial gas.”
The Quest for Answers and Future Observations
The enigmatic nature of this gas-dominated galaxy prompts researchers to delve deeper. While acknowledging the need for extensive optical observations to identify potential stars within J0613+52, astronomers emphasize the significance of discovering more analogous objects using radio observatories.
“A full sky survey by an extremely sensitive instrument like the Green Bank Telescope could uncover more of these objects,” O’Neil suggested, emphasizing the importance of further exploration to unravel the mysteries concealed within galaxies that challenge our conventional understanding of cosmic compositions.
Read the original article on IFL Science.
Read more: Discovery of an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) in the Sombrero Galaxy.
