In a groundbreaking discovery, the Gaia space telescope has detected two ancient streams of stars that are believed to have merged over 12 billion years ago, less than 2 billion years after the Big Bang. Named after the Hindu gods Shakti and Shiva, who are said to have united to create the universe, these streams are considered “protogalactic fragments” located near the center of the Milky Way.
By studying the orbits and compositions of individual stars within Shakti and Shiva, scientists have determined that these stars are between 12 billion and 13 billion years old and are metal-poor, indicating that they belong to the earliest generation of stars. This discovery provides valuable insights into the early formation and growth of our galaxy, shedding light on the initial steps towards its present size.
Despite their similarities, Shakti and Shiva exhibit distinct differences such as their distance from the heart of the Milky Way and their orbital shapes. The team of researchers behind this groundbreaking find published their findings in the Astrophysical Journal on March 21, emphasizing the crucial role of the Gaia telescope in unraveling the earliest cosmic history of our galaxy.
This discovery marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the Milky Way’s evolution and highlights the importance of continued exploration and research in unraveling the mysteries of the universe. Stay tuned to Matzav Blog for more updates on this fascinating astronomical discovery.
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