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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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5

Space Blob Stumps Scientists

Cosmic blob from the dawn of time confounds theories on early universe

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(Newser) – A gigantic blob at the edge of the universe is forcing scientists to rethink their ideas on how galaxies form, reports the BBC. The radiation-emitting object 12.9 billion light years away is one of the most distant—and consequently oldest—things ever seen by astronomers, and is much bigger than anything they had expected to exist that soon after the Big Bang.

"There are two possibilities," said one of the researchers who spotted the blob through the Subaru infrared telescope. "The standard scenario of galaxy formation is wrong, or this particular object is showing something unique." The scientists—who aren't even sure what to call the object other than "blob"—believe it may have a supermassive black hole at its center.

This blob at the edge of the universe dates from close to the dawn of time and has confounded scientists, who named it Himiko after a legendary ancient Japanese queen.
This blob at the edge of the universe dates from close to the dawn of time and has confounded scientists, who named it Himiko after a legendary ancient Japanese queen.   (Carnegie Institution, M. Ouchi)
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We hesitated to spend our precious telescope time by taking spectra of this weird candidate. We never believed that this bright and large source was a real distant object.
- Lead researcher Dr. Masami Ouchi

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5 comments
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TRU2TM3
Apr 23, 09 8:17 AM CDT
Is it just me, or are there a lot of black holes popping up everywhere lately. If it smells like I Don't Know, it looks like I Don't Know and it tastes like I Don't Know, it's probably a black hole. Reply
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Robert_Dada
Apr 23, 09 5:46 PM CDT
It's Cheney's secret lair to avoid the long arm of international justice. Reply
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riffran
Apr 24, 09 1:44 AM CDT
I think it's the direct consequence of improving technology, finding more and more....... Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 24, 09 3:14 AM CDT
It's interesting how scientific theories are constantly being 'updated'. It brings into question the stability of the 'cold hard truth' that we academics base so many of our perspectives and opinions on. Reply
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riffran
Apr 25, 09 6:46 AM CDT
he he he like "global warming"......is or isn't it?...and what or what isn't the cause Reply
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