The brightest galaxy in the universe swallows its neighbors to feed

At 12 billion 400 million light years away, there is a gigantic sized party. The brightest galaxy known to date, equivalent to 350 trillion suns, swallowed without hesitation three small neighboring galaxies. This process, never before seen at such a distance, was observed by the ALMA radio telescope and its details are published in the latest issue of the journal Science.

Unexpected party

The galaxy W2246-0526 was already known to astronomers and had obtained the most brilliant title in the universe. In spite of this, few details have been retained because it is a galaxy obscured by dust or by DOG (acronym for "galaxy obscured by dust"). As its name indicates, its brightness can only be seen in the infrared because of the large amount of dust that surrounds it. Astronomers knew that this hot dog was surrounded by other smaller galaxies, but not that it interacted with them.

"We have not looked for nor expected Balbo-like behavior, but this detailed observation with the ALMA observatory has all explained it very clearly," said Tanio Daz-Santos, a postdoctoral researcher within the core of Dr. 39, Astronoma U. Diego Portales and head of the study.

What ALMA could see is that huge filaments or gas bridges were absorbed by W2246-0526. The source of their food are three minor galaxies converted into men. "We had observed it in the near universe, but never at this distance," says Roberto Assef, director of the Nucleus of Astronomer UDP and co-author of the study. No less, continuous, the one who feeds on several sources.

But the W2246-0526 is not the only restaurant of this huge festival. At its center, a massive black sper hole is actively fueled, producing a highly energetic and extremely bright gas disk. The light from this disc is absorbed by the gas and, therefore, astronomers "see" the brightness of the galaxy only in the infrared. Depending on the work, the voracity of the hole will be satiated by the three galaxies present in the menu.

"It is possible that all the processes we observe are related to each other," says Roberto Assef. There are theories that say that galaxy fusions will have a relationship with the black holes in their centers, but for the moment, there is not enough evidence to prove it. "This galaxy is extremely active and everything happens at the same time," adds the scientist. You must continue to watch.

What engulfs the main galaxy is a kind of savings account, says the astrologer. The international group that participated in the study calculates that the party will be enough to feed the black hole for millions of years. Perhaps for this reason or for reasons that have not yet been discovered, he weighs three times more than he should.