The danger of colliding with galaxies near the Milky Way also increased, cluster of stars found
Washington, ANI. Scientists have observed a swarm of new stars in the outer region of our Milky Way. The region is also called the home of some of the oldest stars in the galaxy. The important thing is that these stars did not originate from the Milky Way. Spectral analysis shows that they are formed from two dwarf galaxies (Magellanic cloud) near the Milky Way.
Principal researcher Adrian Price-Whelan said, “This is a small cluster of stars, which has fewer than a few thousand stars.” This study, published in the journal ‘Astrophysical’, states that new information about the history of the Milky Way can also be obtained through newly discovered stars. Scientists said that the Milky Way is full of very bright classrooms. Therefore it becomes difficult to identify clusters of different stars. This requires a precise measurement. The cluster of new stars is small and is 11.7 million years old. The group is present on the outskirts of the Milky Way.
Group in an area where there is a stream of gas
At the same time, scientists have warned that collisions with galaxies in our neighborhood of our Milky Way may occur before it is anticipated. Researchers reported that the cluster of stars is located in an area where there is a stream of gas. This stream is called the Magellanic stream. Indeed, this region is the outer edge of dwarf galaxies that have now reached the Milky Way and joined its outskirts. Researchers said that while the currents of gas present in the outer edge of the Milky Way also have metals present in them, but the gas stream near these stars is metalless.
According to the researchers, when the Magellanic stream entered the Milky Way, the gravitational pressure of the galaxy greatly condensed it, which led to the formation of stars. Looking at the current state of the cluster of stars, researchers have reported that the edge of the Magellanic stream is still 90,000 light-years away from the main galaxy.