When we think of galaxies, we often imagine vast collections of billions of stars, like our Milky Way. However, not all galaxies are colossal. Some are incredibly tiny, containing only a few thousand stars. The smallest known galaxy in the universe is Andromeda XXXV, an ultra-faint dwarf galaxy that challenges our understanding of galaxy formation and survival.
A galaxy is a massive system comprising stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, all bound together by gravity. Galaxies vary in size and brightness. While some, like the Milky Way, contain hundreds of billions of stars, others are much smaller and fainter.
Discovery of Andromeda XXXV
As per astronomy.com reports, On March 11, 2025, a team of astronomers led by Marcos Arias, then an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, announced the discovery of Andromeda XXXV. The team utilized data from the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS) and confirmed their findings with observations from the Hubble Space Telescope. This discovery was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters and has since garnered significant attention in the astronomical community.
Characteristics of Andromeda XXXV
- Location: Approximately 3 million light-years from Earth, orbiting the Andromeda Galaxy (M31).
- Size: Extremely small, making it the smallest known galaxy.
- Luminosity: With an absolute magnitude of −5.2, it is the faintest known satellite galaxy of Andromeda.
- Stellar Population: Predominantly old, metal-poor stars, indicating it ceased star formation billions of years ago.
Significance of the Discovery
The existence of such a diminutive galaxy raises questions about how galaxies form and survive in the universe. Andromeda XXXV’s survival suggests that even the smallest galaxies can persist over cosmic timescales, providing valuable insights into the processes that govern galaxy evolution.
Final Thoughts
The discovery of Andromeda XXXV highlights the diversity of galaxies in the universe and underscores the importance of studying even the faintest and smallest among them. As we continue to explore the cosmos, such findings will deepen our understanding of the universe’s structure and history.
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FAQs
Q: What is the smallest known galaxy in the universe?
A: The smallest known galaxy in the universe is Andromeda XXXV, an ultra-faint dwarf galaxy discovered in 2025.
Q: Where is Andromeda XXXV located?
A: It is located about 3 million light-years from Earth, orbiting the Andromeda Galaxy (M31).
Q: When was Andromeda XXXV discovered?
A: Astronomers discovered it on March 11, 2025, using data from the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey and the Hubble Space Telescope.
Q: How many stars does Andromeda XXXV have?
A: Andromeda XXXV contains only a few thousand stars, making it extremely faint and difficult to detect.
Q: Why is Andromeda XXXV important?
A: Its small size and faintness provide valuable insights into how tiny galaxies form, survive, and interact with larger galaxies like Andromeda.
Q: Is Andromeda XXXV smaller than Ursa Major III?
A: Yes. Although Ursa Major III is the faintest known satellite of the Milky Way, Andromeda XXXV is currently considered the smallest known galaxy overall in the universe.
