March 21, 2012

the-star-stuff: Rare “Emerald Cut” Galaxy Found Discoverer “couldn’t stop smiling” when he spied rectangular oddity. Not only are there diamonds in the sky, some of them are emerald-cut sparklers, according to astronomers who’ve found an unusual rectangulargalaxy. The cosmic oddball, dubbed LEDA 074886, is a dwarf galaxy 70 million light-years away in the constellation Eridanus, the River. Most galaxies exist in one of three forms: a disk with spiral arms (such as ourMilky Way), a football-shaped ellipsoid, or an irregular, lumpy blob. But LEDA 074886 is a remarkably symmetrical rectangle, akin to an emerald-cut gem. Astronomer Alister Graham, an associate professor at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, was among the first to spot the weird galaxy in an image taken for an unrelated project with the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. When Graham first saw the boxy shape, “I thought it was a mistake,” he said. “And then I couldn’t stop smiling.” Image courtesy Alister Graham

the-star-stuff:

Rare “Emerald Cut” Galaxy Found

Discoverer “couldn’t stop smiling” when he spied rectangular oddity.

Not only are there diamonds in the sky, some of them are emerald-cut sparklers, according to astronomers who’ve found an unusual rectangulargalaxy.

The cosmic oddball, dubbed LEDA 074886, is a dwarf galaxy 70 million light-years away in the constellation Eridanus, the River.

Most galaxies exist in one of three forms: a disk with spiral arms (such as ourMilky Way), a football-shaped ellipsoid, or an irregular, lumpy blob.

But LEDA 074886 is a remarkably symmetrical rectangle, akin to an emerald-cut gem.

Astronomer Alister Graham, an associate professor at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, was among the first to spot the weird galaxy in an image taken for an unrelated project with the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii.

When Graham first saw the boxy shape, “I thought it was a mistake,” he said. “And then I couldn’t stop smiling.”

Image courtesy Alister Graham

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    I just love this guy’s reaction - finds something new, grins - science maaaan
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