COSMOS-AzTEC3 -- this is the name of the furthest cluster of galaxies from Earth. As it is comprised of many galaxies forming in a large mass instead of a mature galaxy, it is called a proto-cluster. Approximately 12.6 billion light-years away from Earth, it is said to be one of the youngest proto-clusters found. "We think the starbursts and black holes are the seeds of the cluster," says Peter Capak of NASA. "These seeds will eventually grow into a giant, central galaxy that will dominate the cluster -- a trait found it modern-day galaxy clusters." In other words, most other clusters will eventually be consumed by a dominant galaxy within. This cluster is not much different and will go through the same process.
This is the first to be discovered at an age this young. AzTEC3 began forming when the universe was just beginning, giving proof that these clusters have existed for a long time.
Thanks to the information scientists have recently discovered, it has been concluded that this cluster will keep growing into its own group of entire galaxies. This was discovered by measuring the amount of gas within it. This gas is what is needed to create a star. The proto-cluster contains at least 400 billion stars. One galaxy in particular is quickly forming these stars.
It was a lot of work to get a clear focus on the proto-cluster. Many telescopes were used and many different methods as well.
This galaxy can be seen in the constellation of Sextans. Its name comes from how scientists had come to this discovery. COSMOS comes from the part of the universe it was found, while AzTEC comes from the camera and telescope used to capture it.
This may just be another scientific discovery, but it is far from ordinary. COSMOS-AzTEC3 is proof that these clusters existed when the universe was young and that many more are soon to come. Scientists can look forward to discovering many more facts and maybe someday will come to find how the universe itself was created.
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