Milky Way's Earliest Known Merger Occurred 11.8 Billion Years Ago, Study Finds
New research reveals that the Milky Way absorbed a smaller dwarf galaxy, named Low-energy-Kraken-Heracles, about 11.8 billion years ago, marking its earliest known merger. This event contributed significantly to the galaxy's growth alongside star formation. The Milky Way also merged with Gaia-Sausage-Enceladus around 1.8 billion years later and has been interacting with the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy over the past 6 billion years. Observations from Hubble and Gaia telescopes helped trace these mergers and their impact on the galaxy's evolution.
First-hand measurement across 2 sources
We measured how 2 outlets covered this story. No outlet gave this story a measurable political slant — there is no left–right reading to report. Overall sentiment is neutral (50/100). Lens Score 31/100.
Outlets measured: economictimes, economictimes. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (50–50/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
economictimes broke this story on 18 Aug, 10:14 am. Other outlets followed.