Look At The Size Of That Thing—IC 1101: The Largest Known Elliptical Galaxy
Hello and welcome to this week’s “Cosmic Corner” (where I talk about some of the most amazing things in the universe).
Instead of talking about planets or stars, today we’re going to look at the largest known elliptical galaxy (that’s right—elliptical, not spiral), called IC 1101. If you thought the Milky Way was large, just wait until you see how large IC 1101 is.
The Huge Galaxy
IC 1101 resides at the center of the Abell 2029 galaxy cluster—approximately one billion light-years away from Earth. Let’s try and understand the magnitude of IC 1101’s size. IC 1101 is believed to be approximately six million light-years wide, and if we were to place the Milky Way inside of IC 1101, the Milky Way would only occupy slightly more than 60% of the volume occupied by IC 1101.
Light travels faster than anything else in the universe, but it still takes light a tremendous amount of time to travel through IC 1101. When you compare our local neighborhood of the Milky Way to the enormity of IC 1101, it makes our neighborhood appear very small and intimate. IC 1101 is a visual representation of the enormous differences between the various structures found throughout the universe.
What Makes IC 1101 Different From Other Galaxies?
As previously mentioned, IC 1101 is an elliptical galaxy, which means it has a rounded appearance and a less distinct structure as opposed to the spiral galaxies that many people envision when they think of galaxies. Additionally, IC 1101 is composed largely of older stars and has a significantly smaller quantity of gas and dust within it, indicating that it is in a later stage of galactic development. Think of IC 1101 as a large, old city that had a long time ago reached its peak period of building—now it is steady, serene, and continues to extend far past what we can easily visualize.
Based on observations made by astronomers, IC 1101 grew to its massive size by consuming other galaxies over millions of years. Mergers and collisions between galaxies in galaxy clusters are a common occurrence and contribute to the formation of these enormous galaxies. Therefore, IC 1101 is essentially a record of the events of the universe.
Why Does IC 1101 Matter?
In addition to being an extraordinary subject to study, understanding galaxies like IC 1101 allows scientists to continue to build upon the vast puzzle of cosmological evolution. For example:
* How do galaxies develop and expand?
* What is the role of dark matter in shaping massive elliptical galaxies?
* As scientists study giant ellipticals such as IC 1101, we gain greater insight into these universal questions.
Also, there is a basic human thrill in awe—knowing that somewhere in the darkness, a galaxy that is so large it defies easy visualization exists. This realization serves as a constant reminder of all that remains to be explored and discovered in the universe.
Next Week
Hang tight, because next week we will examine the enigmatic relationship between black holes located at the center of galaxies and their surrounding stellar populations, as well as how black holes influence their environments and contribute to the overall evolution of the universe. Until then, keep looking up and remain curious!
Thank you for participating in this month’s astronomical journey. The universe is enormous and wonderful and always ready to share its secrets with those willing to listen. I’ll see you next time!