03-09-2020, 04:41 PM
Star formation in NGC 6822 that might tell us about the young universe
NGC 6822 is a relatively nearby(*) galaxy that is metal-poor, in other words, heavier atoms that are formed in stars over time (e.g., carbon, nitrogen and oxygen) are relatively rare. This would make it analogous to galaxies that formed in the early universe when there hadn't been time to form these elements and so will help us understand how galaxies and star formation occurred and evolved in the universe but from much closer. The study observations taken at UKIRT on Mauna Kea.
"Moreover, NGC 6822's metal-poor nature and active star-formation characteristics make it an important analog to the active galaxies in the universe at the epoch of peak star formation. The galaxy is perceived as a useful laboratory that could improve the knowledge of the dust life cycle in the early universe."
https://phys.org/news/2020-03-astronomer...rming.html
(*) Note the article has a typo. It claims NGC 6822 is 1,600 light-years away. This would put it in our own Galaxy and clearly that's incorrect. The actual distance is nearer 1.6 million light-years. That's still far away but does put it in our local galactic neighborhood.
NGC 6822 is a relatively nearby(*) galaxy that is metal-poor, in other words, heavier atoms that are formed in stars over time (e.g., carbon, nitrogen and oxygen) are relatively rare. This would make it analogous to galaxies that formed in the early universe when there hadn't been time to form these elements and so will help us understand how galaxies and star formation occurred and evolved in the universe but from much closer. The study observations taken at UKIRT on Mauna Kea.
"Moreover, NGC 6822's metal-poor nature and active star-formation characteristics make it an important analog to the active galaxies in the universe at the epoch of peak star formation. The galaxy is perceived as a useful laboratory that could improve the knowledge of the dust life cycle in the early universe."
https://phys.org/news/2020-03-astronomer...rming.html
(*) Note the article has a typo. It claims NGC 6822 is 1,600 light-years away. This would put it in our own Galaxy and clearly that's incorrect. The actual distance is nearer 1.6 million light-years. That's still far away but does put it in our local galactic neighborhood.