Astronomers Unveil Nine-Ringed Galaxy Known as the Bullseye

In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of astronomers has unveiled a unique cosmic phenomenon: a galaxy known as the Bullseye, located 567 million light-years away in the constellation of Pisces. This ring galaxy is distinguished by its nine concentric rings, a feat unseen in previous astronomical observations.

The Discovery

The Bullseye was discovered in 2019 by Imad Pasha, a doctoral student at Yale University, while reviewing images from the Legacy Survey DR9. Upon spotting the galaxy’s distinct ring pattern, Pasha knew he had to investigate further.

A Blue Dwarf Galaxy’s Impact

About 50 million years ago, a small blue dwarf galaxy collided with the core of the Bullseye galaxy. This high-energy encounter created ten rings, with nine of them detected by researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope and the Keck Observatory. This marks the first time astronomers have observed such a large number of rings within a single galaxy.

Models and Theories

The discovery not only reveals a breathtaking cosmic structure but also provides significant validation for established theories of galaxy formation. The rings’ movement outward closely aligns with predictions made by cosmological models, offering crucial evidence for scientists working in this field.

Shape and Distance

Nicknamed the Bullseye due to its distinctive appearance, this ring galaxy has a diameter of 250,000 light-years, nearly two-and-a-half times larger than our Milky Way. The galaxy’s redshift of z=0.0394 places it 567 million light-years away from Earth, making it a valuable object for studying distant celestial bodies.

Observational Techniques

The researchers employed precise imaging techniques to analyze the galaxy. Hubble’s high-resolution vision allowed them to detect and map the precise locations of eight rings, with Keck confirming one additional ring. This combined effort showcases the complementary strengths of different telescopic instruments.

Future Research

Professor Pieter van Dokkum of Yale University emphasized the significance of these observations: “We’re catching the Bullseye at a very special moment in time. There’s a very narrow window after the impact when a galaxy like this would have so many rings.” This unique opportunity provides a valuable snapshot of galaxy formation and evolution.

The Journey of Rings

Imad Pasha further explained, “If we were to look down at the galaxy directly, the rings would look circular, with rings bunched up at the center and gradually becoming more spaced out the farther they are.” This insight reveals the three-dimensional structure of the Bullseye, adding to our understanding of its composition.

Conclusion

The discovery of the Bullseye galaxy represents a significant milestone in astrophysics, offering unprecedented insights into the dynamics of galaxy formation and evolution. By studying such celestial phenomena, scientists can refine their models and deepen their understanding of the universe’s history and structure.

The findings from this study have been published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, contributing to the growing body of knowledge in the field of astronomy.

Imad Pasha et al. 2025. The Bullseye: HST, Keck/KCWI, and Dragonfly Characterization of a Giant Nine-Ringed Galaxy. ApJL 980, L3; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad9f5c

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