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Cannibal Galaxy the Biggest In the Near Universe

The Bad Astronomer writes "Astronomers have found the most massive galaxy in the near universe: an obese, bloated monster that may tip the cosmic scales at 13 trillion times the mass of the Sun, 20 times the mass of the entire Milky Way. The galaxy, called ESO 146-IG 005, sits at the center of a dense cluster of other (but much more lightweight) galaxies, and grew to its present size by eating the galaxies around it. In fact, the so-far undigested cores of at least five other galaxies are still easily seen in the cannibal's nucleus. Astronomers are having difficulty pinning down the galaxy's exact mass, but it's clearly the biggest bruiser within 1.5 billion light years of home."

3 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. Should be named Homer Simpson by roman_mir · · Score: 5, Funny

    MMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Gaaaaalaaaaaxyyyyyyy

    om nom nom nom

  2. Re:Now I'm Officially Scared by interkin3tic · · Score: 5, Funny

    First global warming, now solar system-eating far galaxy monsters. What could possibly be worse?

    Total protonic reversal. Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light. That would be bad. [/ghostbusters]

  3. Old news by Frequency+Domain · · Score: 5, Funny

    This happened, like what, a billion and a half years ago?