Oldest Invisible Galaxy Discovered

We are all familiar with the galaxy images from Hubble or from James Webb. These images consist of images of optically detectable galaxies that appear by observing light at different wavelengths. Scientists have different tools to reveal the part that our eyes cannot see.

One of these tools is to study radio waves. It is even possible to position a galaxy according to the traces left around the fragments ejected by black holes. These galaxies are called radio galaxies. The oldest known radio galaxy was discovered recently.

Galaxy hidden among the ruins

Supermassive black holes in the center of galaxies can explode from time to time and spread particles around. These thrown pieces continue on their way at very high speeds until they collide with something in space. It is possible to observe the traces they leave behind in the form of radio signals.

At the center of the Abell 980 galaxy cluster, scientists have discovered an extraordinary structure. Astronomers led by Surajit Paul of Savitribai Phule Pune University in India have unearthed the oldest radio galaxy ever discovered. Also in India, astronomer Gopal Krishna of the University of Mumbai and his team discovered two new radio galaxy clusters in the same region. In other words, the black hole in the center of the galaxy has performed large particle emission activities more than once.

The space covered by radio galaxies can reach millions of light years, and they can reach much farther than the galaxies from which they originated. In fact, our galaxy, the Milky Way, has its own radio galaxy.

Because these radio signals fade over time, specimens older than 200 million years are not expected to be found. This galaxy, which is 2 billion light years away, comes from 260 million years ago. Its distance is measured as 1.2 million light years. Scientists believe they can learn more about radio galaxies by studying this structure.