ASKAP detects 5 billion year old emission from galaxy - Sydney Morning Herald

[gary]

An AAP article in today's Sydney Morning Herald reports on the detection
of a five-billion-year-old hydrogen emission from galaxy B1740-517 in Ara
by six of the "ASKAP" Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder telescopes.

Originally Posted by AAP, Sydney Morning Herald

"This catch shows we're going to bag a big haul of galaxies," research leader James Allison of the CSIRO said.

....

Elaine Sadler, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Sydney and a member of the research team, plans a large ASKAP survey aimed at detecting several hundred galaxies.

"ASKAP looks at a relatively unexplored part of the radio spectrum, 700 to 1800 megahertz," Professor Sadler said.

"This means we'll be able to detect hydrogen gas deeper in space and, thanks to ASKAP's wide field of view, also over a much larger volume than we could before.

"We'll be hunting for galaxies that are five to eight billion years old, a timespan that represents a fifth of the universe's history."

Article here -
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci...05-gi5s84.html

[multiweb (Marc)]

Very cool article. They say a 5th of the Universe's history. I thought the last estimate was 13 billion years old. Does this mean they've reviewed the number to be more like 20 or 25?

[gary]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Very cool article. They say a 5th of the Universe's history. I thought the last estimate was 13 billion years old. Does this mean they've reviewed the number to be more like 20 or 25?

Hi Marc,

The current estimate from the ESO Planck mission is 13.82 billion years old.

The earlier WMAP mission had estimated 13.73 +/- 0.12 billion years old.

(One thing that we know for sure is that the universe began on a Tuesday
around lunchtime.)

So the quote by Professor Sadler where she says they would be
"hunting for galaxies that are five to eight billion years old, a timespan
that represents a fifth of the universe's history" seems to be in error
unless we are interpreting what she meant to say incorrectly.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

I think what she meant was that the period from 8 to 5 Billion years ago is about 3 billion years, which is approximately 1/5th of the total age of the universe, if you round up the age to approx 15 billion years.

Malcolm

[gary]

Originally Posted by barx1963

I think what she meant was that the period from 8 to 5 Billion years ago is about 3 billion years, which is approximately 1/5th of the total age of the universe, if you round up the age to approx 15 billion years.

Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,

Thanks and indeed that is what is meant.