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Galaxy's 'cannibalism' revealed | Galaxy's 'cannibalism' revealed |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The vast Andromeda galaxy appears to have expanded by digesting stars from other galaxies, research has shown. | The vast Andromeda galaxy appears to have expanded by digesting stars from other galaxies, research has shown. |
When an international team of scientists mapped Andromeda, they discovered stars that they said were "remnants of dwarf galaxies". | When an international team of scientists mapped Andromeda, they discovered stars that they said were "remnants of dwarf galaxies". |
The astronomers report their findings in the journal Nature. | The astronomers report their findings in the journal Nature. |
This consumption of stars has been suggested previously, but the team's ultra-deep survey has provided detailed images to show that it took place. | This consumption of stars has been suggested previously, but the team's ultra-deep survey has provided detailed images to show that it took place. |
This shows the "hierarchical model" of galaxy formation in action. | This shows the "hierarchical model" of galaxy formation in action. |
The model predicts that large galaxies should be surrounded by relics of smaller galaxies they have consumed. | The model predicts that large galaxies should be surrounded by relics of smaller galaxies they have consumed. |
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The scientists charted the outskirts of Andromeda in detail for the first time. | The scientists charted the outskirts of Andromeda in detail for the first time. |
They discovered stars that could not have formed within the galaxy itself. | They discovered stars that could not have formed within the galaxy itself. |
Pauline Barmby, an astronomer from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, who was involved in the study, told BBC News the pattern of the stars' orbits revealed their origin. | |
"Andromeda is so close that we can map out all the stars," she said. | "Andromeda is so close that we can map out all the stars," she said. |
"And when you see a sort of lump of stars that far out, and with the same orbit, you know they can't have been there forever." | "And when you see a sort of lump of stars that far out, and with the same orbit, you know they can't have been there forever." |
Andromeda, which is approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth, is still expanding, say the scientists. | |
The researchers also saw a "stream of stars" of a nearby galaxy called Triangulum "stretching" towards Andromeda. | The researchers also saw a "stream of stars" of a nearby galaxy called Triangulum "stretching" towards Andromeda. |
Dr Scott Chapman, reader in astrophysics at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, UK, was also involved in the research. | |
He said: "Ultimately, these two galaxies may end up merging completely. | He said: "Ultimately, these two galaxies may end up merging completely. |
"Ironically, galaxy formation and galaxy destruction seem to go hand in hand." | "Ironically, galaxy formation and galaxy destruction seem to go hand in hand." |
Nickolay Gnedin, an astrophysicist from the University of Chicago, US, who was not involved in this study, described the work as showing "galactic archaeology in action". |