Low-velocity zone

A Solution to the High-Velocity-Cloud Mystery

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 29, 2022

New research lead by Universities Space Research Association (USRA) has provided a vital clue to unlocking this astronomical mystery that dates back to the middle of the 20th century.

Key Points: 
  • New research lead by Universities Space Research Association (USRA) has provided a vital clue to unlocking this astronomical mystery that dates back to the middle of the 20th century.
  • They are defined by their anomalous velocities, which are inconsistent with the regular rotation of the Milky Way Galaxy.
  • The origins of HVCs are a mystery, mainly because their distances are unknown.
  • At these vast distances, some of the complexes would contain millions of solar masses and contribute significantly to star formation and Galactic evolution.