The European Space Agency's Gaia mission has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by creating a precise 3D map of stars in our Milky Way galaxy and beyond. After 6.5 years of tracking over 1.8 billion stars, scientists can now study the patterns and movements of these celestial bodies with unprecedented accuracy.
The Gaia spacecraft's observations have enabled researchers to measure the solar system's acceleration in its orbit around the Milky Way, a phenomenon that was previously unknown. By studying over a million quasars, scientists have detected a tiny pattern of movement that points to the center of the Milky Way, revealing the subtle tugs of neighboring objects on our solar system.
The latest data release from Gaia includes nearly three years' worth of observations, which is less than half of the total data collected so far. This treasure trove of information has already led to significant discoveries, including the measurement of the Milky Way's most recent significant merger, which occurred 10 billion years ago.
Researchers have also used Gaia data to study the formation history of the Milky Way, identifying bursts of star formation that coincide with interactions with nearby galaxies. Additionally, observations of white dwarfs have provided evidence of carbon and oxygen crystallization, a phenomenon predicted 50 years ago but only now confirmed through Gaia's precise measurements.
With two more data releases planned, the Gaia mission is set to continue its journey of discovery for the next decade. The European Space Agency's Gaia mission has opened a new window into the universe, allowing scientists to study the stars and galaxies with unprecedented precision and accuracy.
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