Far off in space is a solitary galaxy. It shines very faintly, but has not changed much over billions of years – and astronomers do not know exactly how this galaxy appeared in its place and how its formation took place. This phantom galaxy has remained almost unchanged since its formation.
The DGSAT I Galaxy, opened in 2016, belongs to the class of superdiffuse galaxies, that is, galaxies having relatively large sizes with low luminosity. But this unusual galaxy violates many of the rules derived for super-diffuse galaxies.
Most of the other super-diffuse galaxies (a concept that is relatively new for astronomers) are located inside densely populated, swirling galaxy clusters. Astronomers believe that as a result of powerful collisions occurring in these clusters, super-diffuse galaxies are thrown into space, like confetti from crackers.
However, the DGSAT I galaxy has a secluded location. She has barely experienced collisions with other galaxies throughout her life, and therefore has probably changed little since her formation, according to a statement made by researchers from the observatory to them. Keke, located in Hawaii.
In order to explain the origin of the DGSAT I galaxy, scientists analyzed its chemical composition using the Cosmic Web Imager spectroscope. Keck. The data obtained showed that this galaxy is not only pale, but also anemic – in its composition was found a reduced amount of iron relative to magnesium. This fact is quite unusual, since, as a rule, during the explosions of supernovae, both of these metals are thrown into space in a certain ratio.
While we do not fully understand the observed relationship between these elements, however, one of the working versions suggests that powerful supernova explosions caused the size of the galaxy to pulsate during its formation, as a result of which the ratio of magnesium to iron increased.
-Aaron Romanovski from the University of California Observatories, USA
The phantom galaxy – DGSAT I
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