How hidden galaxies in deep space could unlock the mysteries of our universe
Produced by Abhinav Yadav
Produced by Abhinav Yadav
Astronomers have uncovered signs of a possible new class of galaxies—so faint that they elude standard observation techniques. If confirmed, these galaxies could significantly reshape our understanding of galaxy formation and the universe’s energy distribution.
Researchers used data from the Herschel Space Observatory to construct the deepest far-infrared image of the universe to date. By layering 141 images captured by Herschel’s SPIRE instrument, they identified nearly 2,000 distant galaxies—and potentially more obscured within the cosmic blur.
These faint galaxies could account for the previously unexplained portion of the universe’s infrared energy. Their light may help close a long-standing gap in the cosmic energy budget, offering fresh insight into how energy is distributed across the universe.
Lead scientist Dr Chris Pearson suggests that this hidden population could challenge prevailing models of galaxy evolution. Their existence might shed light on how early galaxies formed and how energy and light travelled through the young universe.
Though these galaxies are too dim for direct observation, scientists used advanced statistical methods to detect subtle signals in blurred image regions. This implies that much of the universe’s structure has remained hidden—until now.
Researchers are now working to confirm these findings using other telescopes that observe in different wavelengths. If validated, this could become one of astronomy’s most significant recent discoveries, enhancing our understanding of the universe’s earliest, dustiest galaxies.
Although the Herschel mission ended in 2013, its data continues to reveal new cosmic phenomena. Astronomers are now proposing PRIMA, a next-generation infrared observatory, to NASA. This mission would fill the gap between current tools like the James Webb Space Telescope and radio observatories—enabling deeper exploration of the hidden universe.