Whenever NASA spots a distant galaxy, the US space agency’s scientists get fascinated because they can detect some unique, never-before-seen features. That recently happened again when NASA identified a distant galaxy that is absorbing other galaxies. We’re talking about WISE J224607.55-052634.9 which is not only forming new stars in the Universe but is also “eating” other galaxies.
Although the astronomers detected WISE J224607.55-052634.9 a few years ago, only some recent observations on this distant piece of the Universe revealed that this one is actually absorbing other galaxies. According to the NASA’s recent observations, the galaxy is tearing apart a total of three smaller galaxies, sucking up on their material with its strong gravitational pull.
NASA considers WISE J224607.55-052634.9 as the “most luminous” galaxy the astronomers ever found in the Universe, so far. While it’s not a massive galaxy, it’s unusual brightness have long puzzled the scientists since they first observe this interesting space object.
NASA Identifies A Distant Galaxy That Is Absorbing Other Galaxies
Now, NASA thinks it found an answer to the extreme brightness WISE J224607.55-052634.9 possesses. According to the US space agency, this distant galaxy is practically absorbing the “fuel” of the three smaller galaxies in its vicinity. As the intense gravitational force of the galaxy sucks up on the neighbors’ material, the core of WISE J224607.55-052634.9 is continuously producing stars light up the super-heated gas and debris which glow brightly.
“We knew from previous data that there were three companion galaxies, but there was no evidence of interactions between these neighbors and the central source. We weren’t looking for cannibalistic behavior and weren’t expecting it, but this deep dive with the ALMA observatory makes it very clear,” said Tanio Diaz-Santos, the new study’s leading author.
This distant galaxy is absorbing other galaxies at 12.4 billion light years from Earth, so Milky Way is not endangered of it.
Vadim is a passionate writer on various topics but especially on stuff related to health, technology, and science. Therefore, for Great Lakes Ledger, Vadim will cover health and Sci&Tech news.