A group of international scientists, led by an astrophysicist from the University of British Columbia, has uncovered a young galaxy cluster emitting hot gas at a rate five times higher than previously believed possible. This groundbreaking finding has sparked enthusiasm among astrophysicists, potentially reshaping our understanding of the early universe post-Big Bang.
Published in the prestigious Nature journal on Monday, the study involved a team of over two dozen researchers worldwide who focused on the galaxy cluster SPT2349-56 located approximately 12 billion light years away. Headed by UBC PhD candidate Dazhi Zhou, the researchers identified a significant amount of hot gas emanating from the intergalactic space.
Zhou highlighted that this detection marked the first instance of such hot gas at an early universe stage, as the galaxy cluster in question is relatively “young,” forming around 1.4 billion years post-Big Bang. Describing it as a pivotal advancement in our comprehension of universal mechanisms, Zhou emphasized the study’s significance in altering existing paradigms.
James Di Francesco, director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory near Victoria, noted that previous assumptions suggested galaxy clusters would not reach such high temperatures at such an early phase. Typically, gas between galaxies warms up gradually over time due to galactic movements injecting energy into the surrounding gas. The unexpected rapid heating observed in this nascent cluster challenges conventional theories, offering fresh insights into cluster evolution.
The researchers’ exploration revealed a previously unforeseen abundance of hot gas in the vicinity of the SPT2349-56 galaxy cluster, contradicting prior estimations of its presence billions of years later. Leveraging multiple telescopes in Chile, the team delved into dark clouds, explored star formation intricacies, and delved into the universe’s earliest epochs.
Utilizing radio telescopes operating in submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths, Zhou explained how these instruments enabled precise observations of the gas’s temperature despite its immense distance from Earth. By scrutinizing minute shadows in the sky, the researchers discerned the gas’s high temperature with remarkable accuracy.
A galaxy cluster comprises a grouping of galaxies, ranging from clusters to superclusters housing hundreds to thousands of galaxies. For instance, our Milky Way belongs to the Virgo supercluster, potentially accommodating over 2,000 galaxies. Zhou emphasized the research’s pivotal role in deciphering contemporary massive galaxy clusters and their formation processes.
