Unveiling Shiva and Shakti: Ancient Star Streams Weaving the Milky Way

1 min read
Source: Space.com
Unveiling Shiva and Shakti: Ancient Star Streams Weaving the Milky Way
Photo: Space.com
TL;DR Summary

The Gaia space telescope has discovered two ancient streams of stars, named Shakti and Shiva, that merged over 12 billion years ago to form the Milky Way. These streams are among the oldest structures in the galaxy and provide insight into its early formation. By analyzing the orbits and compositions of individual stars, astronomers have gained a better understanding of the Milky Way's ancient history and its growth towards its present size. The research, published in the Astrophysical Journal, highlights the importance of Gaia in uncovering the early cosmic history of our galaxy.

Share this article

Reading Insights

Total Reads

0

Unique Readers

1

Time Saved

5 min

vs 6 min read

Condensed

91%

1,01593 words

Want the full story? Read the original article

Read on Space.com