For the first time, dark galaxies — an early phase of galaxy formation, predicted by theory but unobserved until now — have been spotted. These objects are essentially gas-rich galaxies without stars. Using ESO's Very Large Telescope, an international team has detected these elusive objects by observing them glowing as they are illuminated by a quasar. The team report their results in a paper in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
I've just been reading this Albert - "Small absorption dips in the spectra of background sources of light have hinted at their existence" Isn't it such a thrill that we are now well and truly in a golden era of discovery, to see these early galaxies from so long ago is awe inspiring.
Though I have to ask, is this just a binch of galaxies so early in exisitance that they had not yet had sufficient time to form their future stars - or are they made of the elusive 'dark matter'?
Keith g wrote: Though I have to ask, is this just a binch of galaxies so early in exisitance that they had not yet had sufficient time to form their future stars - or are they made of the elusive 'dark matter'?
I think the former, the paper doesn't appear to be published yet, so all I have is that article.
