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4 close by galaxies as a part of the set of 49 discovered by MeerKAT, proven by the white contours. Three of the galaxies are related collectively by their fuel content material. Credit score: ICRAR
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4 close by galaxies as a part of the set of 49 discovered by MeerKAT, proven by the white contours. Three of the galaxies are related collectively by their fuel content material. Credit score: ICRAR
A global group of astronomers has found 49 new gas-rich galaxies utilizing the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. Their analysis is printed in Month-to-month Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Dr. Marcin Glowacki, from the Curtin College node of the Worldwide Heart for Radio Astronomy Analysis (ICRAR) in Western Australia, led the analysis, which aimed to review the star-forming fuel in a single radio galaxy. Though the group did not discover any star-forming fuel within the galaxy they had been finding out, Dr. Glowacki as an alternative found different galaxies whereas inspecting the info.
In whole, the fuel of 49 galaxies was detected. Dr. Glowacki mentioned this was an amazing instance of how incredible an instrument like MeerKAT is for locating the star-forming fuel in galaxies.
The observations, which lasted lower than three hours and had been facilitated by IDIA (Inter-College Institute for Information Intensive Astronomy), made this discovery doable.
“I didn’t look forward to finding virtually 50 new galaxies in such a short while,” he mentioned. “By implementing completely different strategies for locating galaxies, that are used for different MeerKAT surveys, we had been in a position to detect all of those galaxies and reveal their fuel content material.”
A group of worldwide astronomers have found 49 new galaxies utilizing the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, utilizing observations that had been lower than three hours lengthy. Credit score: ICRAR
The brand new galaxies have been informally nicknamed the 49ers, a reference to the 1849 California gold rush miners. Dr. Glowacki views the 49 new galaxies as useful as gold nuggets in our night time sky. Many galaxies are close to one another, forming galaxy teams, with a number of recognized in a single commentary.
Three galaxies are straight related by their fuel.
Dr. Glowacki mentioned, “These three are significantly fascinating, as by finding out the galaxies at different wavelengths of sunshine, we found the central galaxy is forming many stars. It’s probably stealing the fuel from its companion galaxies to gasoline its star formation, which can lead the opposite two to turn into inactive.”
Professor Ed Elson, from the College of the Western Cape and a co-author of the paper, mentioned, “This discovery highlights the uncooked energy of the MeerKAT telescope as an imaging instrument. The strategies we developed and applied to review the 49ers will likely be helpful for MeerKAT massive science surveys and smaller observing campaigns equivalent to ours.”
Instance of particular person detections of the fuel detected by MeerKAT. Credit score: ICRAR
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Instance of particular person detections of the fuel detected by MeerKAT. Credit score: ICRAR
The 49ers – the 49 new gas-rich galaxies detected by the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. Every detection is proven as coloured contours,. Credit score: ICRAR
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The 49ers – the 49 new gas-rich galaxies detected by the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. Every detection is proven as coloured contours,. Credit score: ICRAR
Dr. Glowacki has not too long ago found extra gas-rich galaxies with the assistance of Jasmine White, an ICRAR summer time scholar, who labored with him and analyzed quick observations made by MeerKAT.
“We hope to proceed our research and share much more discoveries of latest gas-rich galaxies with the broader neighborhood quickly,” Dr. Glowacki mentioned.
Extra info:
Marcin Glowacki et al, A serendipitous discovery of HI-rich galaxy teams with MeerKAT, Month-to-month Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stae684
Journal info:
Month-to-month Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Offered by
Worldwide Centre for Radio Astronomy Analysis