Newly Discovered Small Red Dot Galaxy Found in Our Local Universe

A new analysis shows that peculiar galaxies, once only identified in early cosmic formations, have surfaced more recently, raising intriguing questions about their origins.

Recent observations made by astronomers utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have revealed compact red entities from the universe’s first billion years, dubbed Little Red Dots (LRD). These were initially believed to be associated with phenomena in the early universe, like the formation of supermassive black holes at the cores of galaxies, including our own.

Xiaojing Lin from China’s Tsinghua University, along with her research team, has discovered LRD in a much younger universe, about 12 billion years post-Big Bang. “This finding demonstrates that the conditions fostering small red dots are not solely confined to the early universe,” states Lin.

The researchers employed a telescope based in New Mexico to analyze images captured during the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. They pinpointed three objects that appeared as LRD, but significantly, they were merely 2.5 billion light years apart.

“They meet all criteria for classification as small red dots,” remarks Xiaohui Fan from the University of Arizona. “I believe there’s no doubt regarding their similarity.”

Each LRD is estimated to be approximately one million times the mass of the Sun, with dimensions comparable to the solar system. One of these LRDs is nicknamed the “egg” due to its elongated structure. The team also identified a few other potential LRD candidates awaiting confirmation.

These findings are exhilarating, says Anthony Taylor from the University of Texas at Austin, as they provide unique insights into the characteristics of LRDs. These objects are faint enough that telescopes like the JWST and Hubble can analyze them significantly easier than their early universe counterparts, potentially unveiling their true nature.

“They’re much closer to us, making them appear much brighter,” adds Taylor.

A potential explanation for LRDs is that they signify the nascent phases of extraordinarily massive black holes maturing within the galaxy, possibly marking their initiation as they begin consuming matter voraciously.

It’s currently unclear whether local LRDs are dormant galaxies that have recently awakened or if they have just formed and are starting to consume significant amounts of material. “At this point, it is premature to discuss that aspect,” Taylor points out.

The team is eager to utilize Hubble and JWST to delve deeper into these local LRDs. “I have a proposal for Hubble pending approval,” Fan comments.

LRDs have the potential to exist not just in contemporary and ancient universes but throughout cosmic history. “They may have been lurking, camouflaged, amidst the cosmos,” Fan remarks. “People haven’t known what to look for.”