Astronomers think they have found universe’s ‘missing’ hydrogen

WorldSpace
13 Apr 2026 • 9:06 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Astronomers think they have found universe’s ‘missing’ hydrogen

  • A new study has revealed that hydrogen gas clouds surrounding galaxies are far more prevalent than previously understood.
  • This discovery offers crucial insights into the “cosmic noon” period, 10 to 12 billion years ago, when star formation in galaxies was at its peak.
  • Using the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, researchers identified over 33,000 gas halos, a significant increase from the approximately 3,000 previously detected.
  • The newly found hydrogen halos vary in size and structure, ranging from simple, football-shaped clouds to large, irregular formations encompassing multiple galaxies.
  • Scientists aim to study these halos in detail to better comprehend the sources of the universe's 'missing' hydrogen and to refine models of early galaxy evolution.

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