The star-forming galaxy reveals a new image of the early universe

People always wonder where our earth is, our galaxy comes from. A group of scientists recently achieved a step closer to the answer and how to observe how stars increase matter in the universe extends throughout history.

Physics professor Joshua Gundersen of the University of Miami's School of Arts and Sciences, an international research group building BLAST modern telescopes, is also the BLAST launcher to the atmosphere. There it was able to discover the following galaxies that were obscured by cosmic dust, helping to clarify the origin of the universe.

Gundersen explains: 'BLAST provides us with a unique picture of the development of other galaxies as well as the earliest stages of star formation in our Milky Way galaxy. The light we see from galaxies is only less than 1 millimeter in this photo taken when they were just formed. In other words, it's like we're taking a picture of a newborn baby. '

Analytical data over the past two years yielded information about a thousand of these star-exploding galaxies, which are located about 5 billion to 10 billion light-years from Earth and produce stars at breakneck speeds. . However, their light is obscured in the universe. The findings have just been published in the journal Nature.

Only when BLAST appears, most galaxies in the universe are detected at normal optical wavelengths that can be observed with the eye. Those galaxies were discovered by Gundersen, but they were a group of new galaxies covered by cosmic dust that absorbed most starlight, and only emitted that light in steps. infrared wave.

During an 11-day flight in 2006, the BLAST telescope was fixed with a balloon above the Antarctic 120,000 fit that was observed at three wavelengths below different millimeters that were almost impossible to observe. from the ground. Gundersen said: 'By proceeding from this height, we have a beautiful crystal-clear picture of objects. Thanks to the sub-millimeter and infrared wavelengths we were able to discover them. '

BLAST telescope captures star-forming photos in the Vela constellation. (Photo: BLAST)

Fellows Nick Thomas spent weeks at McMurdo science research station in Antarctica, where he helped assemble equipment and work with its electronic system. Thomas said: 'Working for such an important project with a team of outstanding scientists is one of the most exciting things in my career to date. Collaboration with the project is a valuable learning experience both from a personal and professional perspective. '

The data provided by BLAST is combined with information from NASA observatories such as the Spitzer Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory, helping astronomers and cosmologists gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary history of star-forming galaxies as well as the association of these galaxies with larger structures in the universe.

The research done with the BLAST telescope helped pave the way for one of the European Aviation Agency's most ambitious projects to study the universe: the Herschel telescope was launched into orbit earlier this month from the center. French Guiana airline. Herschel will observe the earliest and most dusty stages of crystals, stars and galaxies using the same detection system as BLAST.

Gundersen said: 'With BLAST we can test a faster and cheaper platform detection system, called a balloon load. Herschel has an identical detection system with BLAST and other important tools. It will do more than BLAST but thanks to BLAST we also achieved some important goals first. '

References:
Peter AR Ade, Itziar Aretxaga, James J. Bock, Edward L. Chapin, Matthew Griffin, Joshua O. Gundersen, Mark Halpern, Peter C. Hargrave, David H. Hughes, Jeff Klein, et al.Over half của far xa của LIGHT light comes từ galaxies tại z ≥ 1.2.Nature, 2009;458 (7239): 737 DOI: 10.1038 / nature07918