On Cloud 9: Have astronomers discovered the first starless galaxy?
Astronomers have identified 'Cloud 9,' a potential starless galaxy located 14 million light-years away that contains gas and dark matter but emits no starlight. If confirmed, it would be the first 'failed' galaxy ever discovered, providing new insights into galaxy formation.
Why it matters
The discovery challenges current models of galaxy evolution and deepens our understanding of dark matter's role in the universe.
Galaxies On Cloud 9: Have astronomers discovered the first starless galaxy? News By Robert Lea Published 28 August 2026 "Most objects in the universe leave some trace of light. Cloud-9 does not. That silence is, in its own way, the most compelling result we could have obtained."
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Click for next article An image of the candiate starless galaxy Cloud-9 as seen by HiPERCAM (Image credit: Trjilo, et al, CC BY 4.0 ) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Scientists are closer than ever before to confirming that a galaxy known as "Cloud 9" is the first "starless" or "failed" galaxy ever discovered by humanity.
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