TRAstronomer Amina Helmi, a professor at the University of Groningen, has been awarded the Kavli Prize for her groundbreaking research in galactic archaeology. Her work, which uses stars as 'cosmic fossils,' has revealed that the Milky Way formed through a series of collisions with other galaxies, challenging previous theories of gradual growth. Using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, Helmi and her colleagues discovered that around 10 billion years ago, a dwarf galaxy called Gaia-Enceladus collided with the early Milky Way, leading to the formation of the galaxy's current structure. This finding contributes to understanding the dynamic and tumultuous history of our galaxy. Helmi, originally from Argentina, shares the prize with researchers Vasily Belokurov and Rodrigo Ibata.
Bias read (Center): The article presents scientific findings without political commentary or advocacy. It focuses on astronomical research and does not frame the subject in a politically charged manner. The tone remains neutral, emphasizing empirical discoveries and academic recognition.
