All around the world, scientists and researchers are discovering unique parts of the universe. These scientists indulge themselves in trying to understand space and make discoveries time and again. Recently, a group of astronomers spotted a unique system of stars in the Milky Way. As per reports, the astronomers have named this group of stars as UMa3/U1. They have found that these are the dimmest group of stars ever discovered in the galaxy. But these scientists and astronomers are now not able to find out whether this discovery is just a cluster of stars or a new small galaxy in itself.
As per reports, this new group of stars has been discovered by researchers at Yale University and the University of Victoria. Called Ursa Major III/Unions 1 (UNMa3/U1), this group is considered to be very faint and full of old stars. These stars are located at a distance of 30,000 light years from the Earth, in the direction of the Ursa Major constellation. As per the scientists, there are only 60 stars in this group in an area of 10 light years. They are found to be extremely small in size and are not easily visible. The scientists have also claimed that despite being small in size, they are still quite close to the earth. This has left them with a question: is it a star cluster or a new galaxy in itself?
Dark matter helps in resolving the difference between these two questions. Everything in the galaxy remains together and does not disintegrate due to the gravitational force of dark matter. Scientists consider dark matter to be a substance that cannot be seen or felt but that affects gravity. On the other hand, in star clusters, the work of binding the stars is only due to gravity, and dark matter has no role in it. But the surprising thing is that the gravitational forces of the Milky Way galaxy do not play a role in the scattering of the stars of UMa3/U1.
As a result, UMa3/U1 might be a galaxy that contains very little visible matter. If it is true, it can provide valuable information about the formation and evolution of dark matter galaxies. At the same time, it could also be a star cluster on the verge of disintegration. The correct answer to whether this is a cluster or a new galaxy will require years of research to get an answer.
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