Rabat – The Oukaimeden Astronomical Observatory, affiliated with Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, has announced an extraordinary discovery in the Cetus constellation.
The newly found object, a faint stellar remnant, has been named “Skyla” and was observed at an unusual height in the galactic plane, said the observatory in a press release.
Cetus, one of the largest constellations in the sky, is located in the southern hemisphere. It is most visible during the fall and winter months. The statement noted that the discovered object does not emit strong radiation in X-rays or radio waves. Instead, it was detected through fine traces of hydrogen alpha emissions, captured using narrow, deep-sky images.
The “Skyla” remnants span an area of about 1.5 degrees across the sky and remained undetected for decades due to their faint nature and location in a quiet region of interstellar space.
Zohir Benkhaldoun, Director of the Oukaimeden Observatory, explained that the observation began six months ago and the object underwent thorough examination and study.
The aim, he said, was to understand the physical models governing star formation and their life cycles. He added that this discovery sheds light on the explosive end of stars and provides valuable scientific data about the timing and process of stellar deaths.
The imaging alone took 29 nights, and the data collected was crucial to making this scientific announcement. Benkhaldoun pointed out that observing such faint stellar remnants is challenging in astronomy and requires significant effort and precise scientific cooperation.
The observatory typically records one or two discoveries of this magnitude per year, and their importance is often evaluated based on their publication in leading scientific journals, he noted.
Benkhaldoun concluded by stressing that these discoveries expand human knowledge of outer space and enhance Morocco’s scientific reputation.
