Hot gas in a young galaxy cluster may reshape views of the early universe

Researchers led by the University of British Columbia report detecting unusually hot gas in the young galaxy cluster SPT2349-56, about 12 billion light‑years away, and published the result in Nature.

A team of international researchers led by a University of British Columbia scientist has reported unusually hot gas in a very young galaxy cluster. The finding comes from observations of SPT2349-56, a cluster seen as it was about 12 billion light‑years away and formed roughly 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang. The study was published in Nature and involved more than two dozen researchers. The result is described as unexpected because it suggests substantial heating at an earlier time than common theoretical models predict. Known details: - The research was led by UBC PhD candidate Dazhi Zhou and involved over two dozen researchers worldwide, with results published in the journal Nature. - The galaxy cluster is identified as SPT2349-56 and is observed at a distance of about 12 billion light‑years; it formed about 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, as reported. - Researchers report detecting hot gas at levels about five times hotter than earlier theoretical expectations for such an early cluster. - Observations were made using several telescopes in Chile that operate at submillimetre and millimetre wavelengths, often described as radio telescopes. - An independent astrophysicist quoted in the report said the result runs counter to expectations that cluster gas heats more gradually over time. Summary: The finding could change how scientists think galaxy clusters heat and evolve in the early universe. Undetermined at this time.