Hobbits In Space!
Astronomers have discovered a number of ultra faint galaxies in our end of the universe. The scientists, who appear to have entirely too much time on their hands, are referring to them as "Hobbit" galaxies". (The galaxies are not reported to have furry feet, however).
A recent sky survey has turned up eight new members in our Local Group of galaxies, including a new class of ultra-faint "hobbit" galaxies and what might be the smallest galaxy ever discovered.
The Local Group is a collection of about 40 galaxies, of which the Milky Way and Andromeda are the dominant members. The rest of the galaxies are mostly small satellites known as “dwarf galaxies” that are gravitationally bound to these two galaxies. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are two of the Milky Way’s better known dwarf galaxies.
The new galaxies were detected over the past two years as part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-II) and presented last week at the 209th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle.
Seven of the new galaxies are gravitationally bound to the Milky Way, while the eighth appears to float freely in space, beyond our galaxy’s grasp.
The loner must be Bilbo. He always was a bit standoffish. When contacted for comment, Peter Jackson, speaking through a spokesman who identified himself as "Frodo" said that he was out of the running for directing the new galaxies and promptly filed suit seeking royalties on the new objects. New Line Cinema could not stop laughing long enough to answer any questions.
