| Q2343-BX418 | |
|---|---|
| Observation data (J2000epoch) | |
| Constellation | Pegasus |
| Right ascension | 23h 46m 18.57s[1] |
| Declination | 12° 47′ 47.38″[1] |
| Redshift | 2.3052[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 23.9 |
| Characteristics | |
| Mass | 1.2×1010[1] M☉ |
| Other designations | |
| HB89 2343+125 BX418, PGC 4668402, SDSS J234618.57+124747.8 | |
Q2343-BX418 is a young, low-metallicitydwarf galaxy located about 10 billionlight years away fromEarth. It has aredshift of 2.3052,[1] and a stellar mass of 500 millionsolar masses.[2]
In July 2018, new research was published suggesting that the galaxy was surrounded by a massive halo of diffuse gas 150,000 light years in diameter, about 10 times the size of the galaxy itself. The halo was measured to be giving off light in theLyman-alpha line, anultraviolet wavelength.[3] By measuring the halo's spectra using theKeck Cosmic Web Imager at theKeck Observatory, the researchers found that the galaxy is surrounded by a roughly spherical outflow of gas. They also found that there are significant variations in the density and velocity of this gas.[4]
Steidel's team had studied the galaxy before using other instruments at the Keck Observatory. However, the Keck Cosmic Web Imager allowed them to study the faint gas connecting galaxies, known as thecosmic web.[5]
