Rare blue galaxy may disclose birth of universe, claim astronomers

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Astronomers from Indiana University have found that a rare blue galaxy could possibly reveal the birth of universe.

This faint blue galaxy is situated about 30 million light years from the Earth and present in the constellation "Leo Minor".

The galaxy nicknamed Leoncino or “little lion” contains the lowest level of heavy chemical elements ever observed in a gravitationally bound system of stars, so it could possibly shed new light on birth of the universe, say astronomers.

“Finding the most metal-poor galaxy ever is exciting since it can help contribute to a quantitative test of the Big Bang," said professor John J. Salzer from IU's Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences.

There are relatively few ways to explore conditions at the birth of the universe, but low-metal galaxies are among the most promising.

This is because the current accepted model of the start of the universe makes clear predictions about the amount of helium and hydrogen present during the Big Bang.

The ratio of these atoms in metal-poor galaxies provides a direct test of the model.

To find these low-metal galaxies, however, astronomers must look far from home.

(With IANS inputs)