A group of international scientists, spearheaded by an astrophysicist from the University of British Columbia, has uncovered a youthful galaxy cluster emitting hot gas at a rate five times higher than previously envisioned. This finding has sparked enthusiasm among astrophysicists, suggesting a potential shift in the understanding of the early universe post-Big Bang. Featured in the Nature journal, the study, involving over two dozen researchers worldwide, focused on the galaxy cluster SPT2349-56 situated approximately 12 billion light years away.
Led by UBC’s Dazhi Zhou, the team observed a substantial amount of hot gas dispersing between galaxies within the cluster. Zhou highlighted this as the first instance of detecting such hot gas at an early cosmic stage, considering the cluster’s relatively “young” age of 1.4 billion years post-Big Bang. Describing it as a significant breakthrough in comprehending the universe’s mechanisms, Zhou emphasized the study’s impact on scientific perspectives.
James Di Francesco, director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory near Victoria, noted how the discovery challenges prior theoretical assumptions regarding the rapid heating of galaxy clusters. Traditionally, intergalactic gas is expected to heat up gradually over time due to energy injection from orbiting galaxies. The unexpected early heating of gas within this cluster has prompted a reevaluation of evolutionary models, offering fresh insights into cluster dynamics.
The research team’s groundbreaking findings indicated the presence of hot gas far earlier than previously believed in the SPT2349-56 cluster’s timeline. Utilizing telescopes in Chile, researchers delved into dark clouds, enabling a deeper exploration of star formation and early universal epochs. By employing radio telescopes that operate in submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths, the team accurately gauged the gas’s high temperature despite its vast distance from Earth.
Galaxy clusters consist of numerous galaxies, ranging from clusters to superclusters, housing hundreds to thousands of galaxies. Our Milky Way lies within the Virgo supercluster, potentially accommodating over 2,000 galaxies. Zhou emphasized the importance of this study in enhancing our understanding of contemporary massive galaxy clusters and their formation mechanisms.