Surviving the Shredding: Small Galaxies Defy the Odds

New research using the Gemini North Telescope has observed galactic cannibalism near the Virgo Cluster, where larger galaxies merge with and consume smaller ones. However, some smaller galaxies are dense enough to survive the merger and become Ultra Compact Dwarfs (UCDs). These UCDs retain their cores and exhibit tight groupings of stars, indicating their gravitational grip is strong enough to withstand the merger. The study suggests that many UCDs are remnants of ancient dwarf galaxies in galaxy clusters, and there are likely more low-mass remnants to be found.