Astronomers discovered the strange J0613+52 galaxy. The colors in the figure indicate the direction of movement of gas within the galaxy. Red indicates that this part of the gas is moving away from the Earth; blue indicates that this part of the gas is heading towards the Earth. (NSF/GBO/P.Vosteen)
[The Epoch Times, January 16, 2024](Epoch Times reporter Chen Juncun reported) American astronomers recently accidentally discovered a dark primitive galaxy. It seemed to have only a ball of gas and no stars, but it had the characteristics of a galaxy. Quite peculiar. This may be the first time astronomers have observed a galaxy composed of primordial gas.
American astronomers accidentally discovered this number J0613+52 through astronomical equipment such as the National Science Foundation’s Green Bank Telescope and France’s Nançay Radio Telescope. A galaxy 270 million light years away from Earth.
They originally used these major telescopes distributed around the world to observe 350 low-surface-brightness galaxies, trying to understand the mass and hydrogen distribution of these extremely low-density galaxies.
The sparse nature of low surface brightness galaxies often challenges established theories of star and galaxy formation. Knowing more about the properties of these galaxies can help shed light on the formation of all stars and galaxies, including the Milky Way.
However, Green Bank Telescope senior scientist Karen O’Neil discovered an error during the observation process. This error caused the telescope to be pointed at incorrect coordinates, leading to the unexpected discovery of J0613+52.
“This is a galaxy made only of gas, with no visible stars. There may be stars there, but we just can’t see them,” O’Neill said.
Scientists have never observed a galaxy with such low surface brightness as J0613+52. “We know it’s a gas-rich galaxy,” O’Neill said. “It’s not forming stars in the way we expected, probably because its gas is too sparse. Also, it’s too far away from other galaxies to form stars.” Help it give birth to stars through any collisions.”
O’Neill noted that the gas inside J0613+52 looks undisturbed and “stunted.” This galaxy may be the first time scientists have observed a galaxy composed of primordial gas. Its low-density gas makes it difficult, if not impossible, to observe at other wavelengths.
She added that only by using a very sensitive instrument like the Green Bank Telescope to survey the entire sky would it be possible to discover more galaxies like J0613+52.
The Green Bank Telescope, located in West Virginia, USA, is the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world with a diameter of 100 meters.
The above research results were published at the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
Editor in charge: Ye Ziwei#
