Nearby galaxy discovered
Posted: Sun, Nov 9, 2003, 11:45 PM ET (0445 GMT)
Astronomers have discovered the closest known galaxy to the Milky Way, a tiny galaxy in the process of colliding with our own galaxy. The Canis Major dwarf galaxy, named after the constellation the galaxy appears in as seen from Earth, is only 25,000 light-years from the solar system and 42,000 light-years from the center of the Milky Way. The galaxy was seen in infrared light as part of the Two-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS); the galaxy had evaded earlier detection despite its proximity because of intervening dust clouds that block visible, but not infrared, light. The galaxy has about one billion stars and is in the process of being absorbed by the much larger Milky Way. Astronomers theorize that such collisions may allow the Milky Way to continue to grow.
Astronomers have discovered the closest known galaxy to the Milky Way, a tiny galaxy in the process of colliding with our own galaxy. The Canis Major dwarf galaxy, named after the constellation the galaxy appears in as seen from Earth, is only 25,000 light-years from the solar system and 42,000 light-years from the center of the Milky Way. The galaxy was seen in infrared light as part of the Two-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS); the galaxy had evaded earlier detection despite its proximity because of intervening dust clouds that block visible, but not infrared, light. The galaxy has about one billion stars and is in the process of being absorbed by the much larger Milky Way. Astronomers theorize that such collisions may allow the Milky Way to continue to grow.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, November 16
ISRO Preps US Launch Of Advanced Satellite For Enabling In-Flight Internet
NDTV.com — 6:54 am ET (1154 GMT) Mexican Ambassador, ISRO Chairman discuss space collaboration
The Hindu — 6:54 am ET (1154 GMT) ISRO to launch GSAT-20 communications satellite using Elon Musk's SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket
Daily News and Analysis (India) — 6:53 am ET (1153 GMT) SpaceX to launch India’s GSAT-20 satellite in major deal with ISRO
Hindustan Times — 6:52 am ET (1152 GMT) ‘Possibility of a catastrophic failure’: Inside the space station leak problem that has NASA worried
CNN — 6:51 am ET (1151 GMT) |
