Scientists say that our Milky Way galaxy could have dozens of undiscovered satellite galaxies orbiting around it. Using the highest-resolution simulation of a galaxy’s dark matter and new mathematical models, researchers predict that over 100 additional dwarf galaxies may be hidden from view due to their faintness.
The Milky Way is already known to have about 60 confirmed companion satellite galaxies, but scientists believe there could be many more out there. These faint galaxies are thought to be caught in the gravitational pull of our galaxy’s dark matter halo, which captures and destroys smaller dwarf galaxies over billions of years.
Using a simulation called Aquarius, researchers found that the Milky Way’s massive galactic halo has likely snatched away stars and dark matter from these tiny galaxies, making them difficult to detect. However, if new telescopes like the Vera Rubin Observatory can resolve some of these hidden galaxies, it could be a major success for the standard model of cosmology.
The discovery would provide strong evidence for the theory of galaxy formation and show how physics and mathematics can predict celestial phenomena with precision. With the advent of new powerful telescopes, scientists may soon have the chance to observe these elusive galaxies and gain a deeper understanding of our universe’s history.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/cosmology/100-undiscovered-galaxies-may-be-orbiting-the-milky-way-supercomputer-simulations-hint