This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/aug/16/giant-galaxy-cluster-stars-phoenix

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Giant galaxy cluster spawning stars at record rate Giant galaxy cluster spawning stars at record rate
(about 4 hours later)
A massive galaxy cluster, one of the largest structures in the universe, has been discovered about 5.7bn light years from Earth and credited with forming about two stars a day, much higher than other such clusters, according to US researchers.A massive galaxy cluster, one of the largest structures in the universe, has been discovered about 5.7bn light years from Earth and credited with forming about two stars a day, much higher than other such clusters, according to US researchers.
Observations of the galaxy cluster may force astronomers to rethink how such colossal structures and galaxies that inhabit them evolve.Observations of the galaxy cluster may force astronomers to rethink how such colossal structures and galaxies that inhabit them evolve.
Known officially as SPT-CLJ2344-4243, the cluster has been nicknamed Phoenix after the mythological bird that rose from the dead.Known officially as SPT-CLJ2344-4243, the cluster has been nicknamed Phoenix after the mythological bird that rose from the dead.
Michael McDonald, a Hubble fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and lead author of the paper on Phoenix, published in Nature, said: "While galaxies at the centre of most clusters may have been dormant for billions of years, the central galaxy in this cluster seems to have come back to life with a new burst of star formation."Michael McDonald, a Hubble fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and lead author of the paper on Phoenix, published in Nature, said: "While galaxies at the centre of most clusters may have been dormant for billions of years, the central galaxy in this cluster seems to have come back to life with a new burst of star formation."
Based on observations from Nasa's Chandra x-ray observatory, the US National Science Foundation's South Pole telescope and eight other observatories, researchers said the centre of the Phoenix cluster had been linked to the creation of about 740 solar masses or stars a year. By comparison, the Perseus cluster forms stars 20 times slower.Based on observations from Nasa's Chandra x-ray observatory, the US National Science Foundation's South Pole telescope and eight other observatories, researchers said the centre of the Phoenix cluster had been linked to the creation of about 740 solar masses or stars a year. By comparison, the Perseus cluster forms stars 20 times slower.
"This is just an enormous rate," said Marie Machacek, an astrophysicist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. She said huge clusters like Phoenix were thought to host thousands of galaxies and there was still a lot to learn about what goes on within them."This is just an enormous rate," said Marie Machacek, an astrophysicist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. She said huge clusters like Phoenix were thought to host thousands of galaxies and there was still a lot to learn about what goes on within them.
Supermassive black holes in the central galaxy of a cluster have long been associated with low observed star formation rates, as they pump energy into the system and prevent the cooling of gases needed for the creation of stars. But researchers said the "massive starburst" seen in Phoenix, suggested its central galaxy's black hole had failed to interfere with an extremely strong cooling flow.Supermassive black holes in the central galaxy of a cluster have long been associated with low observed star formation rates, as they pump energy into the system and prevent the cooling of gases needed for the creation of stars. But researchers said the "massive starburst" seen in Phoenix, suggested its central galaxy's black hole had failed to interfere with an extremely strong cooling flow.
"Stars are forming in the Phoenix cluster at the highest rate ever observed for the middle of a galaxy cluster," the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics said in its press release. "The object also is the most powerful producer of x-rays of any known cluster and among the most massive. The data also suggests the rate of hot gas cooling in the central regions of the cluster are the largest ever observedd". "Stars are forming in the Phoenix cluster at the highest rate ever observed for the middle of a galaxy cluster," the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics said in its press release. "The object also is the most powerful producer of x-rays of any known cluster and among the most massive. The data also suggests the rate of hot gas cooling in the central regions of the cluster are the largest ever observed."