Descoperire spectaculoasă despre galaxia noastră făcută cu ajutorul telescoapelor orbitale Hubble și Gaia

A recent study reveals that the Milky Way galaxy consumed a smaller galaxy about 12 billion years ago, marking its earliest known merger. Researchers utilized Hubble and Gaia telescopes to analyze star clusters, confirming that this event contributed significantly to the Milky Way's growth. The smaller galaxy, named Low-energy-Kraken-Heracles, provided a substantial amount of stars and interstellar gas, enhancing star formation. This peaceful merger contrasts with the explosive interactions of gas, leading to the creation of many stars. The Milky Way has undergone additional mergers, influencing the formation of our solar system.