An otherwise quiet galaxy in the early universe is spewing star stuff

Astronomers did not expect to see hot gas pushed so far from the galaxy’s center

illustration of galaxy A1689-zD1 showing warmer gas in yellow in the middle and cooler gas in red spreading out

In galaxy A1689-zD1 (illustrated), cooler gas (red) extends farther than the stars and hot gas (yellow). Astronomers think some energetic activity is pushing gas to the galaxy’s outskirts.

ALMA/ESO, NAOJ and NRAO; B. Saxton/NRAO/AUI/NSF

PASADENA, Calif.