Sep 23 2004
From The Space Library
Scientists revealed the first observations of the merger of two galaxy clusters, providing crucial support for a theory of the universe's formation. The scientists, led by J. Patrick Henry of the University of Hawaii, used ESA's XMM-Newton orbiting observatory to obtain data showing that the galaxy cluster Abell 754 formed from the collision of two distinct clusters. Galaxy clusters such as Abell 754 contain hundreds of galaxies and are the universe's largest gravitationally bound structures. Measurements of Abell 754's density, pressure, and temperature indicated that it is still in formation. Moreover, the evidence showed that Abell 754 had emerged from the collision of galaxy clusters, supporting the theory that the universe's hierarchical structure had resulted from small galaxies and galaxy clusters merging into relatively larger ones. (NASA, “Massive Merger of Galaxies is the Most Powerful on Record,” news release, 23 September 2004.
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