Nearby, an Enigmatic Little Galaxy
Hovering on our cosmic doorstep is a weird little galaxy — something that looks way too young to live in our neighborhood. Just 39 million light-years away, dwarf galaxy DDO 68 appears primordial in composition and shape.
But is it?
The gossamer mass of stars and gas hasn’t yet coalesced into an identifiable structure, such as a spiral or an ellipse. And its elemental composition is simple, resembling that of the much younger universe. (As an aside, I would strongly recommend visiting the full-size Hubble Space Telescope image and swimming through that amazing sea of stars and background galaxies.)
Normally, such newborn galaxies aren’t found within a billion light-years from home. It takes a long time for light from primordial objects to travel across the universe and get to Earth; so, finding these small, faint time capsules is generally done by looking very, very far away. In other words, astronomers essentially peer back in time to when the universe was much younger. Through the lenses of our biggest eyes in the sky, we see these objects as they were billions of years ago (if all goes according to plan, the James Webb Space Telescope will soon be able to peer even farther back in time and detect even fainter, younger objects).
When we look closer to home, we tend to find galaxies that are older, larger, and more evolved. As these agglomerations of stars matured over the eons, they morphed from younger, simpler versions of themselves into the spectacularly complex structures we see today. They have distinct shapes, are populated by stars that are a mix of old and young, big and small, and have elemental compositions that are more complex.
That’s why finding this little guy was a surprise: It looks way too young for where it lives, kind of like a toddler moving in to a university dormitory and showing up for freshman chemistry lab.
But is DDO 68 as young as it looks? Astronomers aren’t sure. There are some enigmas swirling around in that hazy mass, including hints that some of those sparkling stars might be older than they’re letting on. Scientists are working on solving the mysteries that live in this strange little galaxy, and are attempting to determine its true age.
So is it a precocious youngster or a has-been masquerading as an ingenue?
Only time will tell.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains