"Gaia Telescope Discovers Ancient Galactic Building Blocks: Shakti and Shiva"

"Astronomers Uncover Remnants of Early Galaxies Merged with Milky Way Over 12 Billion Years Ago"

In a groundbreaking study published in The Astrophysical Journal, astronomers have unveiled a remarkable finding that rewinds the cosmic clock to the infancy of our Milky Way galaxy. Using data from the Gaia space telescope, researchers have identified two ancient streams of stars, named Shakti and Shiva, nestled near the heart of our celestial home. These stellar remnants, estimated to be more than 12 billion years old, offer a glimpse into the galaxy's earliest days and its tumultuous journey through cosmic history.

Led by Dr. Khyati Malhan of Stockholm University and coauthored by Hans-Walter Rix of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, this discovery marks a significant milestone in our understanding of galactic evolution. The stars comprising Shakti and Shiva are believed to be the remnants of galaxies that merged with the Milky Way during its formative years, between 12 and 13 billion years ago. This merger process played a pivotal role in shaping the structure and composition of our galaxy, laying the foundation for its modern spiral arms and central disk.

What makes this revelation even more astounding is the age of these stellar streams. Despite the Milky Way's extensive transformation over billions of years, the stars of Shakti and Shiva have retained their distinct identity, offering astronomers a rare window into the distant past. By analyzing the chemical composition, orbital paths, and ages of these ancient stars, researchers can unravel the mysteries of galactic assembly and evolution on a cosmic scale.

The Gaia space telescope, launched by the European Space Agency in 2013, has been instrumental in this groundbreaking discovery. With its unprecedented dataset containing precise measurements for nearly 2 billion stars, Gaia has revolutionized our understanding of the Milky Way's structure and history. By meticulously sifting through this wealth of data, astronomers have uncovered the hidden remnants of our galaxy's cosmic ancestors, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of galactic evolution.

As we peer deeper into the cosmic past, each new discovery brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of our universe's origins. The identification of Shakti and Shiva represents a crucial step in this ongoing journey, offering tantalizing clues about the earliest building blocks of the Milky Way and the cosmic processes that shaped our celestial home. With Gaia leading the way, astronomers continue to explore the cosmos, piecing together the intricate story of our galactic heritage.

Reference:

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