2 h hours ago|Source: Independent, CNN, ESO, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Astronomers have described a very distant disk galaxy that has properties unexpectedly similar to “our” Milky Way. According to the scientists, this is unexpected and the results of the measurements could change the understanding of how galaxies actually form.
The REBELS-25 galaxy is very old, over 13 billion years old. At first glance, to the eye of a trained astronomer, it is completely different from other similarly old galaxies. These tend to be quite chaotic and form torn lines of matter, but the rebel galaxy is significantly ordered compared to them. Considering its age, it should theoretically be much more worn.
According to research led by astronomers from Leiden University in the Netherlands, REBELS has a very similar structure to the significantly younger Milky Way. “Based on our understanding of galaxy formation, we would expect most early galaxies to be small and appear chaotic,” Leiden University astronomer Jacqueline Hodge, who co-authored the work, said in a statement.
Such old galaxies, formed when the universe was still young, are extremely resistant to change: merging with other galaxies or forming smoother structures within them takes an extremely long time. The light falling on Earth from the REBELS-25 galaxy therefore comes from a period of only 700 million years after the origin of the universe. And that’s a surprisingly short time for the universe in this galaxy to become as ordered as it appears, the researchers said.
“Seeing a galaxy so similar to our own Milky Way and strongly dominated by rotation challenges our understanding of how quickly galaxies evolved in the early universe: from disordered to ordered as we know them in today’s cosmos,” added another of the authors of the research Lucie Rowland.
A view of the REBELS-25 galaxy
Unobstructed view of the stars
This research would not have been possible without the ALMA telescope (Atacama Large Millimeter / submillimeter Array), which operates in northern Chile. It stands in a dry landscape at a high altitude, where the sky is completely clear, and the telescope can thus produce completely clear images with only minimal interference from the atmosphere.
However, the first observations of REBELS-25 are not perfect due to its great distance. Astronomers would like to aim the telescope’s lens at the galaxy again, this time focusing on its finer details, such as the typical spiral arms. If the instruments found them, it would be the most distant galaxy ever with such structures.
Galactic Shenanigans: REBELS-25 is the Oldest Milky Way Twin
Two hours ago, the world of astronomy took a delightful leap back into the cosmos! According to sources like the Independent and CNN, we’ve stumbled upon a galactic doppelgänger! Yes, folks, step aside, Milky Way, because we’ve got the newly discovered REBELS-25 galaxy, a genuine cosmic clone residing over 13 billion years in the past. And let me tell you, it’s not just the same haircut; it has a strikingly similar structure! Now, before we get too excited, let’s unpack this cosmic mystery.
What’s in a Galaxy?
So, what exactly makes REBELS-25 tick? Unlike its older and more chaotic cousins, which look like they’ve had a rough night, this galaxy has structure—a bit like your friend who shows up to the party organized while you’re still trying to find your socks. Researchers from Leiden University delivered the cosmic delivery of knowledge with this revelation. Their lead astronomer Jacqueline Hodge cheekily noted that “based on our understanding of galaxy formation, we would expect most early galaxies to be small and appear chaotic.” But here we are, throwing that understanding under the bus. Your move, astronomy textbooks!
Old But Gold!
What makes this all the more fascinating is that the REBELS-25 galaxy’s light has traveled to us from a mere 700 million years after the big bang. To put things in perspective, that’s like your toddler skipping from a chaotic drawing to Picasso in record time! Statistically speaking, such early galaxies *should* be little fireballs of chaos that lost their directions. Yet here we are, meeting a calm, composed REBELS-25 that defies expectations like a superhero in a school play!
Another one of the study’s authors, Lucie Rowland, struck a similar note, saying, “Seeing a galaxy so similar to our own Milky Way and strongly dominated by rotation challenges our understanding of how quickly galaxies evolved in the early universe.” I tell you, Lucie! Somebody better call the galactic Change Management team; we’re going to need a lot of training sessions to get all this aligned!
The Magic of ALMA
You may wonder how they got this stellar scoop. Well, let’s give a round of applause to the ALMA telescope (Atacama Large Millimeter / submillimeter Array), standing proud in the high-altitude dry deserts of northern Chile. It’s like a VIP exclusive club for telescopes, where the sky is so clear that even the atmosphere is saving face! These guys don’t do cloudy; they do crystal-clear cosmic peeping!
What’s Next?
Now, the astronomers are itching to take another look through ALMA’s lens to refine their findings further. Can you imagine? If they find spiral arms, it would be a record-setting ginormous salute to cosmic history—and the first time such structures are documented in a galaxy this old. I can hear the cosmic drama already—“Can I get a spiral arm?”
The Bottom Line
In summary, REBELS-25 offers a glimpse into the enigmatic early days of the universe that even the best sci-fi/scripts couldn’t dream up! It gives us a reason to reconsider everything we thought we knew about galaxy formation, like realizing you’ve been putting your shirt on backward all day but no one bothered to inform you. So here’s to more galactic surprises and perhaps a golden age for early universe studies, bringing us ever closer to understanding our wild, chaotic cosmos. Who knew stars could leave us feeling so starry-eyed? Shine on, my cosmic friends!
