Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany have identified the earliest building blocks of the Milky Way galaxy, dating back 12-13 billion years. These groups of stars have been named Shakti and Shiva by astronomers.
Through analyzing stellar datasets, the researchers found that stars from merging galaxies clustered around two specific signatures of energy and angular momentum, leading to the formation of ‘Shakti’ and ‘Shiva’. These structures are low in metal content, suggesting they were created in the early universe.
Shakti and Shiva may serve as some of the earliest ancestors of the Milky Way, potentially being the first two additions to the core of the galaxy, sparking its growth into a large spiral structure.
The analysis was made possible using data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite and the US Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Gaia’s dataset offers detailed information on the chemical composition of stars, enabling researchers to uncover these ancient stellar structures.
This discovery sheds light on the origins of our galaxy and provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the Milky Way. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting astronomical breakthrough on Female Arts.
