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Most Distant Galaxy Gives Clues to Early Universe

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the in-the-beginning dept.

NinjaT writes "From CNN, 'Scientists said on Wednesday that they have found the most distant galaxy yet, nearly 13 billion light-years away, in a discovery that could help explain how stars were formed at the dawn of time. The galaxy, named IOK-1, is so far away that the light waves that reached Earth depict it as the system of stars existed shortly after the Big Bang created the universe 13.66 billion years ago. That period, known to astronomers as the Dark Ages, saw the formation of the first stars and galaxies from elementary particles. Scientists had been unable to directly observe that time period until now.'"

5 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. The galaxy, named IOK-1 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well I think that name is A-OK.

  2. I know cosmology is an inexact science but by Silver+Sloth · · Score: 2, Funny
    From TFA
    The scientists found another object similar to IOK-1, but could not say if it was a distant galaxy or something else such as a black hole.
    • Galaxy - lots of stars spread over a vast area - low average density
    • Black hole - one star compressed into a relatively small area - high average density
    Easily confused then.
    --
    init 11 - for when you need that edge.
  3. Re:What I find difficult to understand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Please, don't use acronyms ending in AA around here. You're scaring the nerds.

  4. A long time ago, by psicop · · Score: 2, Funny

    in a galaxy, far, far away...

    I finally made my first post, it's just now arriving from IOK-1.

    --Not enough Bothans died to bring you this message.

  5. Re:What I find difficult to understand by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm sorry, which one of those links said you could turn lead into gold???

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill