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MeerKAT Telescope in South Africa Discovers New Galaxy 'Inkathazo'.

Science and Technology | Dated: 30 Jan 2025

In January 2025, South African researchers and astrophysicists discovered a new giant radio galaxy (GRG) named 'Inkathazo' using the MeerKAT telescope (formerly known as the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT)) in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The newly discovered galaxy spans 3.3 million light-years from end to end, making it 32 times the size of the Milky Way galaxy and located 1.44 billion light-years away from Earth.
  • - The discovery was published in the scientific journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS).

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) Inkathazo, meaning "trouble" in South Africa’s isiXhosa and isiZulu languages, was named due to the complexities in understanding its physics.
  • (ii) Giant Radio Galaxies (GRGs) are massive cosmic structures that emit jets of hot plasma, extending millions of light-years into space.
  • (iii) These radio-bright jets are powered by supermassive black holes located at the centers of galaxies.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

What is the name of the giant radio galaxy (GRG) recently discovered using South Africa’s MeerKAT telescope?

Correct Answer: Inkathazo

🚀 Quick Recap: