Farthest Galaxy Cluster Ever Detected

[n2doc]

By Betsy Mason October 22, 2009 | 3:08 pm | Categories: Space



Captured by NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory and combined with data from infrared and optical telescopes, this image shows the farthest galaxy cluster ever detected. Designated JKCS041, the cluster is located 10.2 billion light-years from Earth, beating the previous distance record by a billion light-years.

Astronomers think JKCS041 formed just about as early as was feasible.

“This object is close to the distance limit expected for a galaxy cluster,” said Stefano Andreon of the National Institute for Astrophysics in Milan, Italy in a press release. “We don’t think gravity can work fast enough to make galaxy clusters much earlier.”

This cluster was first spotted by the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope in 2006, and then by optical telescopes such as the Very Large Telescope in Chile. But until Chandra took a look, it wasn’t clear if it was a full-blown legitimate galaxy cluster rather than one still in the process of forming or a line of galaxies viewed head on. The image above is a composite of all three types of data.

Because JKCS041 is so old, it will help scientists understand what was happening at this critical time in the formation of the universe, when it was only about a fourth as old as it is today. But if more super old clusters can be found, scientists can begin testing cosmological theories.

more:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/farthest-galaxy-cluster-ever-detected/

[snagglepuss]

1. Very awesome. How many galaxies might there be in a cluster? nt

[The Court Jester]

2. More than the number of lies told by the previous Administration

[snagglepuss]

4. LOL

Thanks for the laugh. Welcome to DU.:hi:

[The Court Jester]

3. But just barely! hee hee

[quiet.american]

5. Breathtaking. nt

[miyazaki]

6. fascinating to try and imagine how many living empires have come

and gone in this time/distance.