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As per the researchers, gravitational interactions between NGC 3785 and a nearby galaxy resulted in the formation of the tidal tail.
The young ultra-diffuse galaxy remains in its nascent stages. (Photo Credits: X)
Astronomers have observed the berth of a new galaxy. The cosmic phenomenon is reportedly taking place in the Leo constellation which is tipped to be the longest tidal tail ever recorded. As per data shared by a group of scientists from India and the UK, the young ultra-diffuse galaxy remains in its nascent stages. It is forming at the end of the tidal tail of galaxy NGC 3785, located nearly 435 million light-years from Earth. The findings offer fascinating insights into how galaxies are created due to the gravitational force of neighbouring celestial objects.
A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) in Pune, Pondicherry University and the SKA Observatory in the United Kingdom are credited for the fascinating discovery.
“The discovery centres on galaxy NGC 3785, which features a massive tidal tail—a stream of stars and gas—stretching an astonishing 1.27 million light-years through space,” the Department of Science and Technology said in a statement.
As per the researchers, gravitational interactions between NGC 3785 and a nearby galaxy resulted in the formation of the tidal tail. Owing to the forces, stars and gas were pulled into a long stream which eventually paved the way for the birth of the new galaxy.
According to Chandan Watts, the first author of the paper, the interactions between two galaxies can be categorised into two types. “The first is a merger, where two galaxies collide and merge, and the second is a flyby, where galaxies pass close to one another, causing matter to be pulled away from one galaxy,” he said. The tidal tail of NGC 3785 falls in the second category.
Unlike the Milky Way, Ultra-diffuse galaxies are hardly detectable due to their low luminosity. The surface brightness also makes the task difficult for the astronomers. Omkar Bait, a co-author of the paper, claimed that he first spotted the long tidal tail several years ago while studying at NCRA in Pune.
“We decided to examine this extraordinary galaxy and its massive tidal tail in detail,” Bait told Deccan Herald. His team will continue to evaluate the process to gain more knowledge about galaxy evolution.
