Hexum311add t1_it2br62 wrote on October 20, 2022 at 12:59 PM

So these are proto-galaxy clouds we think? Massive cloud of just hydrogen, like what was present early after the Big Bang? That could collapse to start and build young massive stars?

Negative_Success t1_it2feil wrote on October 20, 2022 at 1:27 PM

>An international team led by Chinese scientists has discovered the biggest atomic cloud in the universe – a surprising finding that could help researchers better understand the origins of galaxies.

>The cloud, made up of hydrogen atoms, measures about 2 million light years across and is 20 times larger than our Milky Way galaxy[...]

First and partial 2nd paragraph from the linked article.

Hexum311add t1_it2rauq wrote on October 20, 2022 at 2:50 PM

Yes I read the article. It doesn’t answer my questions.

Negative_Success t1_it2sf34 wrote on October 20, 2022 at 2:57 PM

"So these are proto-galaxy clouds we think?"

>a surprising finding that could help researchers better understand the origins of galaxies.

"Massive cloud of just hydrogen, like what was present early after the Big Bang?"

>The cloud, made up of hydrogen atoms

"That could collapse to start and build young massive stars?"

>Their unexpected discovery will support numerical simulations to explain how Stephan’s Quintet formed

Was just trying to help... The last one is talking about origin of galaxies, but the cloud isn't nearly dense enough to be forming stars. If you have other questions that were not answered in the article, you did not list them here.

Hexum311add t1_it2ush9 wrote on October 20, 2022 at 3:13 PM

Thank you! Was just trying to make sure I understood what they were saying. This is really neat

Timbosconsin t1_it4uph3 wrote on October 20, 2022 at 11:09 PM

They wrote in their nature article that the ‘cloud’ is either from tidal interactions between existing members in the galaxy group or from another galaxy approaching the galaxy group. Both explanations deal with extended diffuse atomic hydrogen from existing systems increasing in density from tidal interactions between galaxy group members and/or interactions with an external galaxy well after the Big Bang.

So not a protogalaxy cloud as you described. Most likely existing HI gas from members or another incoming galaxy.