Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Hidden Galaxies Come to Light

Scientists discover star systems obscured by quasars

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 24, 2007 12:15 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Astronomers have added 14 “invisible galaxies” to their map of the heavens, thanks to an imaginative breakthrough and a massive telescope. Researchers realized that some galaxies might be hidden by the bright lights of quasars behind them, so they scanned quasar data for “dips” where those lights might be passing through galaxies, Space.com reports.

Quasars are small, extremely bright cosmic beacons that outshine galaxies. Using infrared technology, scientists found galaxies in 70% of the irregularities their research turned up. Even more exciting, many were “starburst galaxies,” which are actively creating about 20 suns per year. The team foresees its findings sparking a new wave of galaxy hunters.

Quasars, as illustrated her in this artist's conception, far outshine a number of hidden galaxies, making them difficult to detect.
Quasars, as illustrated her in this artist's conception, far outshine a number of "hidden" galaxies, making them difficult to detect.   (nasa.gov)
To locate invisible galaxies, To locate the so-called invisible galaxies, Bouche and his team look through huge catalogs of quasar data for those with dips in their light signatures, indicating an object in between.
To locate "invisible" galaxies, To locate the so-called "invisible" galaxies, Bouche and his team look through huge catalogs of quasar data for those with "dips" in their light signatures, indicating...   (KRT Photos)
The difficulty in actually spotting and seeing these galaxies stems from the fact that the glare of the quasar is too strong compared to the dim light of the galaxy, said Nicholas Bouche, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Munich, Germany.
"The difficulty in actually spotting and seeing these galaxies stems from the fact that the glare of the quasar is too strong compared to the dim light of the galaxy," said Nicholas Bouche, an astronomer...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Related Links

'Dark energy' a mysterious force
Newsweek

Scientists find keys to 'super galaxies'
Space.com

NASA explains active galaxies and quasars
NASA

 
astronomy • space exploration • space • deep space • quasars • galaxy

More Newser Stories

Astronomers: Yep, Milky Way Is White

New Planets Yield Hopes of Life Beyond

Space Blob Stumps Scientists

ET Seekers Win Big Boost

Scientists Say Black Hole Lies at Center of Galaxy
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne