Amateur astronomer Michael Sidonio discovered a new dwarf galaxy with a backyard telescope.
The object has been confirmed with one of the world’s largest telescopes, and adds support to the most popular model of galaxy formation.
This new galaxy is sitting just beside the well-known galaxy NGC 253.
NGC 253 is one of the closer large galaxies to our own, and is undergoing intense star formation. It has been photographed many times, but Sidonio took a much wider angle image than is usually done.
The galaxy’s presence has been confirmed with the giant Chilean 8.2-meter (27-foot) Subaru Telescope for detailed study.
The authors named the new galaxy NGC 253-dw2 and shows signs of being disrupted by its larger neighbor.
This alien planet was unexpectedly discovered by a Chilean PhD-student.
