The earliest galaxy 'swallowed' by the cannibal Milky Way left a scar at its heart
Astronomers have discovered evidence of the Milky Way's earliest galactic merger, which occurred approximately 12 billion years ago. By studying ancient globular clusters, researchers identified a 'scar' at the galaxy's heart, providing new insights into the early formation of our galaxy.
Why it matters
This discovery pushes back the timeline of the Milky Way's history, helping scientists better understand the evolution and growth of galaxies in the early universe.
Galaxies The earliest galaxy 'swallowed' by the cannibal Milky Way left a scar at its heart News By Robert Lea Published 24 August 2026 "If one of humanity's great questions is 'where do we come from?', we offer at least a piece of the answer."
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