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Astronomers Discover 185,000 Light-Year Hydrogen Bridge in Space

9/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers in Australia observe hydrogen gas bridge linking NGC 4532 and DDO 137, spanning 185,000 light-years.
The study, in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and part of the WALLABY survey, identifies a 1.6-million-light-year neutral-hydrogen tail—the longest observed.
Tidal forces near the Virgo cluster and ram pressure from hot gas shape gas dynamics, stripping material over billions of years.

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Story summary

Astronomers in Australia observe hydrogen gas bridge linking NGC 4532 and DDO 137, spanning 185,000 light-years.
The study, in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and part of the WALLABY survey, identifies a 1.6-million-light-year neutral-hydrogen tail—the longest observed.
Tidal forces near the Virgo cluster and ram pressure from hot gas shape gas dynamics, stripping material over billions of years.