The Galaxy thats Back from the Dead

Scientists have discovered a galaxy that “woke up” after being inactive for 20 million years. Named NGC 1277, this galaxy surprised everyone by starting to form new stars again.

This discovery challenges what we thought we knew about how galaxies change over time.

What’s a Zombie Galaxy?

Spiral galaxy known as Messier 81 ; Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA/Harvard-Smithsonian CfA

A zombie galaxy is one that stopped making new stars but then started again. NGC 1277 was thought to be “dead” because it hadn’t made new stars for a long time.

Now, it’s back in action, making scientists rethink how galaxies work.

How They Found It

star-formation region in the constellation Perseus, as seen by the European Space Agency Planck. Via ESA/LFI & HFI Consortia

NGC 1277 is in the Perseus Cluster, about 220 million light-years away. Scientists used the Hubble Space Telescope to spot new star formation in this once-quiet galaxy.

This finding was a big surprise since the galaxy seemed inactive for so long.

Making Stars Again

This galaxy is currently a hotbed of vigorous star formation. NGC 1569 is a starburst galaxy via NASA Goddard

Galaxies make stars when gas clouds collapse under their own gravity. In dead galaxies, this stops happening. NGC 1277 started forming stars again, likely because it got new gas from somewhere.

This process is what brought the galaxy “back to life.”

The Dark Matter Theory

This composite image shows the distribution of dark matter via NASA Goddard

One idea is that dark matter, which makes up most of the universe’s mass, might have played a role. It could have moved gas around, helping NGC 1277 form new stars.

Dark matter is mysterious, but it influences how galaxies behave.

Galactic Cannibalism

The subject of this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is known as NGC 3597. It is the product of a collision between two good-sized galaxies, and is slowly evolving to become a giant elliptical galaxy. Via NASA Goddard

Another theory is that NGC 1277 ate up a smaller galaxy. This process, known as galactic cannibalism, might have provided the gas needed for new stars.

This event could explain the sudden burst of star formation.

Why It Matters

This is a Hubble Space Telescope image of galaxy NGC 1277 via NASA, ESA, M. Beasley (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias), and P. Kehusmaa

The revival of NGC 1277 is important for astronomy. It shows that galaxies can be more dynamic and unpredictable than we thought.

Scientists now have to look at other “dead” galaxies to see if they might come back to life too.

The Perseus Cluster

This incredible snapshot from the Euclid space telescope is a revolution for astronomy. ESA/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA image processing by J.-C. Cuillandre (CEA Paris-Saclay) G. Anselmi

NGC 1277 is part of the Perseus Cluster, a massive group of galaxies. Studying this cluster helps us understand more about galaxy formation and behavior.

There are likely more surprises hidden within clusters like this.

What’s Next?

The Hubble Space Telescope hovers at the boundary of Earth and space in this picture, taken after Hubble second servicing mission in 1997. Via NASA JPL

Scientists will continue to study NGC 1277 to figure out exactly what happened. Using advanced telescopes and simulations, they’ll learn more about this galaxy’s unusual revival.

This research will help improve our understanding of the universe.

Inspiring Future Space Explorers

Young Scientist Challenge YSC was held at Goddard in 2008 via Debora McCallum at NASA Goddard

The story of NGC 1277 is exciting for young scientists. It shows that space is full of mysteries and that there is always more to discover.

Who knows what other cosmic surprises await?