In an effort to better understand how the
universe evolved, a study co-authored by an Indian-
origin scientist used a method to measure radiation leaks
in large, star-forming galaxies in the universe.
The researchers used the radiation leak measurement
method to help find the ideal star-forming galaxy that
contained holes in its cold gas cover.
"The star forming regions in galaxies are covered with
cold gases so the radiation cannot come out. If we can
find out how the radiation gets out of the galaxy, we can
learn what mechanisms ionised the universe," said
Sanchayeeta Borthakur from the John Hopkins University
in the US.
The researchers noted that an indicator used for studying
star-forming galaxies that leak radiation, is also an
effective measurement tool for other scientists to use.
Studying the radiation that seeps through the holes in its
cold gas cover has been an ongoing conundrum for
scientists for years.
Consisting of thick, dense cold gas, the cover stretches
across a galaxy like a blanket.
While an effective tool for helping make stars, this cover
presents a challenge for astrophysicists hoping to learn
how the radiation that stars produce could be used in the
ionisation process.
Scientists have been on a quest to find just the right galaxy
with this character trait for decades.
Borthakur said scientists know that these leaky galaxies
exist, but finding one has been a problem.
Using observations made with the Cosmic Origin
Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope, the
research team found the right galaxy to study.
In the study, the researchers credit a combination of
unusually strong winds, intense radiation and a massive,
highly star-forming galaxy for proving the validity of the
indicator.
"This method first created by study co-author Timothy
Heckman in 2001 can sort out what gas is present and also
accurately measure the percentage of holes in the gas
cover," Borthakur noted.
The study appeared in the journal Science.
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