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Indian Scientists Discover Early Spiral Galaxy, ‘Alaknanda,’ Using James Webb Data
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A newly discovered galaxy, formed just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, exhibits a surprisingly mature spiral structure, offering clues to early galaxy formation. The discovery,made by Indian scientists analyzing data from the NASA‘s James Webb Space telescope, challenges existing models of galactic evolution.
Unveiling Alaknanda: A Glimpse into the Early Universe
indian scientists have identified a remarkably well-defined spiral galaxy,dubbed “Alaknanda,” that existed when the universe was a mere 1.5 billion years old. This discovery, detailed in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, is significant because spiral galaxies were previously thought to develop much later in the universe’s history. The galaxy’s structure suggests that the processes leading to spiral arm formation may have begun earlier than previously believed.
Inspired by the Himalayas: The naming of Alaknanda
The research team, led by Professor Yogesh Wadadekar of the National Center for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, chose the name “Alaknanda” in homage to a sacred river originating in the Himalayas. This connection reflects the galaxy’s distant and ancient origins, mirroring the river’s source high in the mountains. The name also acknowledges the rich cultural heritage of India.
“We wanted a name that resonated with the galaxy’s beauty and its place in the cosmos,” explained Professor Wadadekar. “Alaknanda, a river known for its purity and power, seemed a fitting tribute.”
Why This Discovery Matters: challenging Galactic Evolution Models
The prevailing theory of galaxy formation posits that galaxies initially formed through mergers of smaller protogalaxies. These mergers were expected to result in chaotic, irregular structures. Spiral structures,like those seen in our own Milky Way,were thought to emerge much later,as these galaxies settled into more stable configurations.
Alaknanda’s existence challenges this model. Its well-defined spiral arms suggest that the mechanisms driving spiral arm formation were active much earlier in the universe than previously thought.This finding necessitates a re-evaluation of current galactic evolution theories.
Future Research: Unraveling Alaknanda’s Secrets
the team plans to conduct further analysis of alaknanda, focusing on the kinematics – the movements – of its gas and stars. This will provide crucial insights into the dynamics of the galaxy and the processes that led to the formation of its spiral arms. Specifically, researchers will be looking for evidence of internal processes, such as density waves, that could be responsible for maintaining the spiral structure.
Rashi Jain, a member of the research team, highlighted the galaxy’s
