The Milky Way may have devoured another galaxy named Loki, and astronomers think they've found its remains

space.com May 27, 2026

The Milky Way may have devoured another galaxy named Loki, and astronomers think they’ve found its remains

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · May 27, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Astronomers have identified a sample of 20 stars that may have originated from a dwarf galaxy dubbed "Loki," which was likely consumed by the Milky Way galaxy billions of years ago. The stars, considered "metal-poor" due to their low levels of heavier elements, share similar characteristics and orbital motion, indicating they formed in the same small galaxy. By studying the stars' chemical properties and orbital characteristics, researchers have pieced together a picture of Loki's origin and its eventual absorption into the Milky Way.

💡 Why It Matters

· The discovery of Loki's remains sheds new light on the Milky Way's formation history, revealing a previously unknown chapter in the galaxy's evolution.
· By understanding how smaller galaxies contributed to the Milky Way's growth, scientists can gain insights into the complex processes that shaped our galaxy's structure and composition.

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