Lyman-alpha blob 1
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Lyman-alpha blob 1 (LAB-1) is a giant cosmic cloud of gas located at the southern constellation of Aquarius, some 11.5 billion light-years from Earth. It was discovered in 2000.[1]
LAB-1 is the first discovered, and is the prototype of the class of objects called Lyman-alpha blobs[1], huge concentrations of gases emitting the Lyman-alpha emission line of hydrogen. It is also the largest of its kind, measuring 400,000 light years across, four times larger than the Milky Way.[2] The blob appears green on the image because of the combination of the high redshift (z = 3) and the ultraviolet nature of the blob.[2]
It is still unclear as to why this object is emitting the Lyman-alpha emission radiation. The object may be a protogalaxy, or only a cloud reflecting other galaxies' lights.[2]
References
- ^ a b Steidel et al. 2000, Astrophysical J., 532, 170–182.
- ^ a b c "Giant Space Blob Glows from Within". ESO Press Release. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.