A new study by the Hubble Space Telescope has revealed dozens of dwarf galaxies swirling around the Andromeda Galaxy, with many exhibiting puzzling orbits that conventional theories have yet to fully explain. The 36 dwarf galaxies vary greatly in properties and some display unexpected behavior, such as continuous star formation at late times.
The satellite galaxies provide valuable insights into the formation history of the Andromeda Galaxy, which is the closest large spiral galaxy to Earth. Researchers are puzzled by the unusual alignment and direction of half of these galaxies’ orbits, suggesting a possible alternative theory of gravity.
According to Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), this configuration could be a result of a close encounter between the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies 8 billion years ago. While some scientists dispute this idea, new observations from Hubble may support it.
The discovery highlights the diversity of galaxies in our universe, with different properties and histories. This challenges the common practice of using the Milky Way Galaxy as a template for other galaxies, suggesting that each galaxy has its unique characteristics.
Researchers believe that studying the Andromeda Galaxy’s satellite system can reveal more about its formation history, potentially shedding light on the mysteries surrounding this phenomenon. Further studies with the James Webb Space Telescope will help unravel the secrets of these dwarf galaxies and provide new insights into the nature of our universe.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/galaxies/how-did-andromedas-dwarf-galaxies-form-hubble-telescope-finds-more-questions-than-answers