Chinese astronomers have observed the complete transformation of dwarf galaxies into ultra-compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs), revealing a crucial intermediate stage in galactic evolution and solving longstanding mysteries about UCD origins.
A team of Chinese astronomers has successfully observed the full transformation of dwarf galaxies into ultra-compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs). This significant discovery was detailed in a study recently published in the journal Nature.
Traditionally, galaxies and star clusters have been viewed as separate entities. Galaxies originate and develop within dark matter halos and have a complex evolutionary history. In contrast, star clusters are formed from giant molecular clouds located within galaxies.
The Role of Dwarf Galaxies
Dwarf galaxies are the least luminous class of galaxies and play a crucial role in the evolution of the universe. Discovered around 2000, UCD gets its name due to its extremely dense inner star system, with a mass and size between a galaxy and a star cluster, and the mystery behind its origin remains unsolved.
Although some research findings in recent years suggest that many UCDs may originate from collapsing dwarf galaxies, the specific process of the evolution has not been confirmed by observations.
Researchers from Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and research institutions in Canada and the United States have used the DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06650-z