A study of the dwarf galaxy Markarian 71 has resolved a significant issue affecting infrared astronomy, leading to more accurate measurements of galaxy compositions and interstellar dust clouds. The research, published in Nature Astronomy, utilized data from both ground-based and airborne telescopes, including the recently retired SOFIA and Herschel Space Observatory. Researchers Yuguang Chen and his team focused on measuring oxygen abundance in Markarian 71, located 11 million light-years from Earth, by analyzing two measurement methods: collisionally excited lines, which are temperature-sensitive and yield strong signals, and fainter recombination lines, which are thought to be unaffected by temperature fluctuations. Surprisingly, even after correcting for temperature effects, the results from the collisionally excited lines were still 50% lower than the recombination line measurements. This unexpected finding lacks a clear explanation, prompting plans for further investigation into the properties of other galaxies. The study ultimately aims to enhance the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope in making infrared observations of distant galaxies, especially from the early universe. This research underscores the importance of accurate chemical composition analyses for understanding star formation and the evolution of galaxies.
