Experts uncover ‘window to darkish universe’ displaying a ‘failed galaxy’ dubbed Cloud-9
Experts have discovered a cosmic phenomenon offering them the ability to see a ‘failed galaxy’. Nicknamed ‘Cloud-9’ the phenomenon will allow them to better understand the formation of galaxies
Space boffins have discovered a “window into the dark universe” allowing them to see a “failed galaxy” they have dubbed as “Cloud 9.”
The discovery of the cosmic phenomenon will allow them to better understand the formation of galaxies in the early universe and the nature of dark matter.
Researchers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has identified a previously unknown type of cosmic phenomenon – a barren, gas-laden, dark matter cloud regarded as a “relic” or remnant from the birth of an early galaxy.
Nicknamed “Cloud-9,” the discovery marks the the first confirmed discovery of such an entity in the cosmos. The ESA revealed: “The finding furthers the understanding of galaxy formation, the early Universe, and the nature of dark matter itself.”
The study’s lead researcher, Alejandro Benitez-Llambay from Milano-Bicocca University in Milan, Italy has commented on the discovery and stated: “This is a tale of a failed galaxy.”
“In science, we usually learn more from the failures than from the successes. In this case, seeing no stars is what proves the theory right. It tells us that we have found in the local Universe a primordial building block of a galaxy that hasn’t formed.”
Team colleague Andrew Fox from AURA/STScI of the European Space Agency stressed the nature of the discovery and said: “This cloud is a window into the dark Universe.”
He added: “We know from theory that most of the mass in the Universe is expected to be dark matter, but it’s difficult to detect this dark material because it doesn’t emit light. Cloud-9 gives us a rare look at a dark-matter-dominated cloud.”
The object is called a Reionisation-Limited H I Cloud, or “RELHIC.” The term “H I” refers to neutral hydrogen, and “RELHIC” describes a natal hydrogen cloud from the Universe’s early days, a fossil leftover that has not formed stars.
For years, scientists have been on the hunt for evidence of such a theoretical celestial object. It was only when they directed Hubble towards the cloud and confirmed its starless nature they found backing for their theory. The unearthing of this ancient cloud came as a surprise.
STScI’s Rachael Beaton, who is also on the research team, has comment on the discovery stating: “Among our galactic neighbours, there might be a few abandoned houses out there.”
ESA explained the “Cloud-9” received its name in a straightforward manner, being the ninth gas cloud identified on the fringes of a nearby spiral galaxy, the Messier 94 (M94).
These findings have been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters and were unveiled at a press conference during the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
