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Ultra-Dense Galaxies In the Early Universe

Posted by kdawson on from the it's-little-it's-lovely-it-lights dept.

Science Daily is reporting on the characterization of a population of ancient galaxies, formed less than 3 billion years after the Big Bang, that are as massive as some modern galaxies but are only 1/20 the size. Each of the 9 compact galaxies found is less than 5,000 light-years across, and could fit comfortably inside the Milky Way's central hub (if you moved the supermassive black hole out first). The stars in these galaxies were 1/2 to 1 billion years old when observed and at least one generation of massive stars had already exploded as supernovae.

2 of 19 comments (clear)

  1. No Parking by Sta7ic · · Score: 4, Funny

    'course, all those galaxies would still fit if you DIDN'T move the supermassive black hole first. You'd just have to remove "comfortably" from the statement.

  2. Just out of curiosity - how far away are they? by mmell · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Or - to put it more bluntly - how long ago did they look like that?

    If they're over thirteen million light-years distant, they might represent a tantalizing glimpse into the physics of galaxy formation shortly after the Big Bang - the presence of heavier-than-helium elements indicates that at least one round of (superheavy) star formation/destruction has taken place, but they could still be relatively good examples of galactic physics in the (then neonatal) Universe.