A University of California’s team had discovered an odd massive galaxy from approximately 12 billion years ago when the universe was estimated to be 1.8 billion years old. The giant cosmic object was named XMM-2599 and created stars at a tremendous rate and then died. Why such a thing happened is still unknown.
“More remarkably, we show that XMM-259 formed most of its stars in a huge frenzy when the universe was less than 1 billion years old, and then became inactive by the time the universe was only 1.8 billion years old.”
A Giant Galaxy With Peculiar Features
The team utilized spectroscopic measurements from the W. M. Keck Observatory’s greatest MOSFIRE to realized detailed observations of XMM-259 and accurately determine its distance. Also, the giant galaxy developed more than 1,000 solar masses/year in stars in the beginning. Such a thing indicates a remarkably great rate of star creation. Milky Way, for example, made almost one new star/year.
“XMM-2599 may be a descendant of a population of highly star-forming dusty galaxies in the very early universe that new infrared telescopes have recently discovered,” stated Danilo Marchesini from the Tufts University.
It is possible that during the following 11.7 billion years of space history, the giant galaxy will turn into a central part of one of the most massive and brightest clusters of galaxies in the local universe, according to researchers. Or, the XMM-2599 might go on with its current status of existing in isolation.
The Keck Observatory supported the team’s examinations and measurements, confirming the giant’s galaxy nature, and bringing better insights into the way the cosmic feature developed. It can also help researchers find out why the XMM-2599 died. MOSFIRE is one of the most dynamic and practical devices worldwide for leading such a type of study. NASA highly supported the research as one of the collaborators.
