A galaxy that has taunted astronomers since they first detected a hint of its presence more than 20 years ago has finally emerged from hiding.
It’s called HIPASS J1131-31, or Peekaboo, and it is located just 22 million light-years away. And it was so hard to see because it’s teeny tiny and obscured by a bright star in the Milky Way that sits almost directly in front of it.
Through a collaborative effort that involved space-and ground-based telescopes, scientists have learned that the extremely small Peekaboo is also extremely young and close – offering a snapshot of galactic infancy.
Comments are closed.