"Unveiling Shiva and Shakti: Ancient Star Streams that Shaped the Milky Way"
Astronomers using the Gaia space telescope have discovered two ancient streams of stars, named Shakti and Shiva, which are remnants of galaxies that merged with an early version of the Milky Way over 12 billion years ago. These streams provide insights into the galaxy's earliest days and its evolution, shedding light on how the Milky Way grew in size by merging with other galaxies. The unprecedented data from Gaia has enabled the detection of these ancient structures, contributing to a fuller understanding of the Milky Way's cosmic history.