Scientists have made a remarkable discovery of an enormous galaxy named Alcyoneus. Located a staggering distance of 3 billion light-years away, this colossal radio galaxy stretches an impressive 5 megaparsecs into space.
The dimensions of this structure are mind-boggling, spanning a length of 16.3 million light-years. In fact, it holds the title for being the largest known structure originating from galaxies.
This discovery highlights our limited understanding of these gigantic phenomena and the factors contributing to their extraordinary growth. However, it presents an opportunity to deepen our knowledge not only about massive radio galaxies but also about the vast spaces in between known as the intergalactic medium.
Giant radio galaxies add to the many puzzling aspects of our universe. They consist of a central galaxy with a cluster of stars orbiting around a supermassive black hole. Additionally, they exhibit enormous jets and lobes that erupt from the core of the galaxy. When these jets and lobes interact with the intergalactic medium, they act as a synchrotron, accelerating electrons and emitting radio waves.
Using data gathered by the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) in Europe, astronomers stumbled upon the immense Alcyoneus. The scientists behind this breakthrough described it as the most extensive structure created by a single galaxy ever observed, with a projected length of 4.99 ± 0.04 megaparsecs. However, the actual length is estimated to be even greater, at 5.04 ± 0.05 megaparsecs.
Fascinatingly, astronomers believe that Alcyoneus is continuing to expand, growing larger and larger in the vastness of the cosmic darkness. The research has been accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics, and is available on arXiv.
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March 25, 2024
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