Galaxy cluster produces stars at record-setting rate
Posted: Thu, Aug 16, 2012, 9:39 AM ET (1339 GMT)
A galaxy cluster over five billion light-years from Earth is producing new stars a rate never before seen, a finding that may validate models of such clusters. The Phoenix cluster, also known as SPT-CLJ2344-4243, was discovered by astronomers in 2010. Follow-up observations by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and other telescopes showed that the central galaxy in the cluster is creating about 750 stars the six of the Sun each year. Astronomers had previously theorized that such galaxy clusters should generate large numbers of stars as gas trapped in the cluster cools and condenses, but observations of other clusters showed a far smaller rate of star production: the previous record was only 100-150 stars per year.
A galaxy cluster over five billion light-years from Earth is producing new stars a rate never before seen, a finding that may validate models of such clusters. The Phoenix cluster, also known as SPT-CLJ2344-4243, was discovered by astronomers in 2010. Follow-up observations by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and other telescopes showed that the central galaxy in the cluster is creating about 750 stars the six of the Sun each year. Astronomers had previously theorized that such galaxy clusters should generate large numbers of stars as gas trapped in the cluster cools and condenses, but observations of other clusters showed a far smaller rate of star production: the previous record was only 100-150 stars per year.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, April 22
US to allies: Don’t use Chinese satellite services
Defense One — 5:58 am ET (0958 GMT) Egypt Inaugurates African Space Agency Headquarters in Cairo
Egypt Today — 5:57 am ET (0957 GMT) Egypt inaugurates African Space Agency headquarters in Cairo
Yeni Safak — 5:57 am ET (0957 GMT) African Space Agency's Headquarters Inaugurated in Egypt
allAfrica.com — 5:56 am ET (0956 GMT) Egypt Launches African Space Agency HQ
MENAFN — 5:56 am ET (0956 GMT) |
