By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/astronomers-discover-2-6-million-light-year-bridge-galaxies Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Astronomers discover 2.6 million light-year bridge between galaxies Science Aug 7, 2014 6:53 PM EDT A team of astronomers and students have discovered a stream of hydrogen gas in space that is the largest known to date — and dwarfs our own galaxy in comparison. The find of atomic hydrogen gas stretches 2.6 million light-years, acting as a bridge between two galaxies located 500 million light-years from Earth. The length is not the only impressive stat, however: the stream itself encompasses more gas than the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies combined. “This was totally unexpected,” Dr. Rhys Taylor, lead author of the paper, said in a statement. “We frequently see gas streams in galaxy clusters, where there are lots of galaxies close together, but to find something this long and not in a cluster is unprecedented.” The team is still uncertain what could’ve caused such a massive bridge to form, but plan to simulate theories using computer simulations. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti is the digital video producer at PBS NewsHour. @JSkl
A team of astronomers and students have discovered a stream of hydrogen gas in space that is the largest known to date — and dwarfs our own galaxy in comparison. The find of atomic hydrogen gas stretches 2.6 million light-years, acting as a bridge between two galaxies located 500 million light-years from Earth. The length is not the only impressive stat, however: the stream itself encompasses more gas than the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies combined. “This was totally unexpected,” Dr. Rhys Taylor, lead author of the paper, said in a statement. “We frequently see gas streams in galaxy clusters, where there are lots of galaxies close together, but to find something this long and not in a cluster is unprecedented.” The team is still uncertain what could’ve caused such a massive bridge to form, but plan to simulate theories using computer simulations. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now