Astronomy

How has India's ASTROSAT space telescope contributed to our understanding of dwarf galaxy formation and evolution?

India's ASTROSAT, the country's first multi-wavelength space telescope, has made groundbreaking discoveries about dwarf galaxy formation using its Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT). Led by astronomer Anshuman Borgohain from Tezpur University, researchers analyzed 17 hours of ASTROSAT data and observed star-forming complexes on the outskirts of dwarf galaxies, finding evidence of material movement from outer edges toward the center in 11 dwarf galaxies. The study reveals that young, large star-forming clumps form on the periphery of these galaxies and spiral inward within a billion-year timescale, contributing to galaxy growth. This research is particularly significant because dwarf galaxies' diverse physical properties challenge current theoretical models of galaxy evolution, and ASTROSAT's resolving power and deep field imaging capabilities have enabled scientists to witness the live formation of these distant galaxies.

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WION

01:20 - 03:14

How do dwarf galaxies contribute to the growth of larger galaxies according to recent findings from India's ASTROSAT mission?

Based on ASTROSAT's groundbreaking observations of 11 distant dwarf galaxies, researchers have discovered that these smaller galactic structures play a crucial role in galaxy evolution through active star formation processes. The data reveals that dwarf galaxies form on the periphery of larger galactic systems and gradually spiral inward toward the visible boundary of their host galaxy. This migration process occurs over approximately a billion-year timescale, during which the dwarf galaxies contribute significantly to the overall growth and mass accumulation of the larger galaxy. These findings challenge existing models of galaxy formation and provide new insights into how cosmic structures assemble and evolve over billions of years.

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WION

03:03 - 03:15

How is India's ASTROSAT satellite contributing to our understanding of dwarf galaxy formation and evolution?

India's ASTROSAT satellite, specifically its Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding dwarf galaxy formation. The satellite's remarkable resolving power and deep field imaging capabilities have enabled astronomers to observe the "live formation" of distant dwarf galaxies, capturing processes that were previously difficult to study. ASTROSAT has successfully identified very young, large star-forming clumps that form on the periphery of dwarf galaxies and then spiral inward toward the galaxy's center over billion-year timescales. This observation directly shows how these galaxies grow and assemble over time. The findings are particularly significant because the diversity in dwarf galaxy properties challenges current theoretical models of galaxy evolution, making ASTROSAT's observations crucial for advancing our understanding of cosmic structure formation and galaxy maturation processes.

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WION

02:03 - 03:14

How did India's ASTROSAT space observatory contribute to our understanding of dwarf galaxy formation and evolution?

India's ASTROSAT made a groundbreaking discovery by observing the formation process of dwarf galaxies located 1.5 to 3.9 billion light years from Earth. Using its Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope, researchers captured 17 hours of data showing star-forming complexes on the outskirts of these galaxies and documented material moving inward from the outer edges toward the center of 11 dwarf galaxies. This observation provides crucial evidence for how dwarf galaxies, containing only a few billion stars, evolve into mature systems like the Milky Way with 200-400 billion stars. The study, published in Nature and led by astronomers from India, the US, and France, represents the first concrete documentation of this evolutionary process. The findings are significant because they address current gaps in theoretical models of galaxy evolution and demonstrate ASTROSAT's remarkable capabilities as a UV observatory for probing galaxy assembly processes.

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WION

00:05 - 02:54

How do dwarf galaxies assemble and grow over time, and what new insights has India's ASTROSAT telescope revealed about this process?

India's ASTROSAT telescope has provided groundbreaking observations showing that dwarf galaxies grow through a fascinating inward spiral process. Using the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), researchers discovered that young, large star-forming clumps form on the periphery of these galaxies and then spiral inward toward the galaxy's center over approximately a billion-year timescale. This discovery challenges existing theoretical models of galaxy evolution by revealing the "live formation" of distant dwarf galaxies. The study, led by researchers from multiple countries, demonstrates how material moves from the outskirts to contribute to galaxy growth. ASTROSAT's exceptional resolving power and deep field imaging capabilities were crucial in identifying these star-forming regions and tracking their movement patterns. These findings significantly advance our understanding of cosmic evolution and highlight the diversity in dwarf galaxy properties that current models struggle to explain.

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WION

02:03 - 03:14

What are the potential risks and characteristics of asteroid 2024 YR4's possible Earth impact in 2032?

Asteroid 2024 YR4 poses a 2.3% chance of impacting Earth around Christmas 2032, measuring approximately 300 feet in length. While smaller than the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs, it's larger than the 2013 Russian meteor that caused extensive damage but no fatalities. However, there's a reassuring 98% probability it will miss Earth entirely. If impact does occur, it would likely hit an empty ocean area, significantly reducing potential harm to populated regions.

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NBC News

00:50 - 01:07

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