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News Release 12-152 - Video

A galaxy cluster has been discovered by the South Pole Telescope in the constellation Phoenix.

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Galaxy clusters, which are among the largest objects in the universe, contain enough hot gas to create detectable "shadows" in the light left over from the Big Bang, which also is known as the cosmic microwave background radiation. The cluster discovered by the South Pole Telescope (SPT) has been dubbed the "Phoenix Cluster" not only because it is located in the constellation of the Phoenix but also because of its remarkable properties. The Phoenix Cluster and its central galaxy and super-massive black hole are already among the most massive known objects of their type.

Credit: National Science Foundation

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