Massive galaxy cluster spawns more than 700 stars a year - Los Angeles Times

Further study of SPT-CLJ2344-4243 and massive galaxy clusters like it could also help astronomers figure out how unique Phoenix actually is, added Bradford Benson, a University of Chicago astrophysicist and study co-author. He said studying more clusters could lead scientists to determine whether star-making phases like the one observed in this study tend to be relatively brief (say, a few million years), or extended (100 million years).At first, astronomers didn't realize how unique the cluster was.&nbsp; But in the months that followed, McDonald and his co-authors analyzed a variety of signals from the cluster including X-rays, optical light, and infrared radiation it emitted &mdash; and realized they had a "remarkable" object on their hands.<br />http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-phoenix-galaxy-cluster-20120815,0,2484591.story?track%3Drss