# UK researcher reveals dozens of hidden star clusters in distant galaxies **Published:** 2026-06-15T22:23:08.000Z **Source:** [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/research/uk-led-study-uncovers-hidden-star-clusters-deep-inside-nearby-galaxies) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uk-researcher-reveals-dozens-of-hidden-star-clusters-in-distant-galaxies A University of Kentucky researcher is unveiling a trove of previously hidden star clusters buried deep inside nearby galaxies, offering new insight into how stars form and evolve across the cosmos. [The findings were presented June 17 at the 248th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Pasadena, California.](https://uknow.uky.edu/research/uk-led-study-uncovers-hidden-star-clusters-deep-inside-nearby-galaxies) Sajia Shahrin Neha, a predoctoral researcher in the University of Kentucky Department of Physics and Astronomy, led the research using a combination of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and ground-based radio observatories including the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. By combining observations across multiple wavelengths, researchers identified roughly 50 young, massive star clusters hidden within dense, dusty rings at the centers of galaxies NGC 3351 and NGC 1097. "These young, massive clusters are extreme star-forming regions in the earliest stages of their lives," Neha said. "Unfortunately, the same cosmic dust obstructs our view, especially in the optical wavelength." The radio observations allowed researchers to see through dust that blocks traditional optical telescopes, while the space-based telescope independently confirmed the clusters and revealed surrounding structures. The research maps a timeline of how these clusters form and evolve over time, offering one of the clearest pictures yet of their early lifecycle. Neha's work builds on previous research led by her advisor, UK astrophysicist Jiayi Sun, whose team studies how gas and stars interact to regulate star formation and drive galaxy evolution. "We found that these massive star clusters form over an extended period of time, longer than what we would expect based on typical star forming regions in the present-day universe," Neha said. "In the end, they use up most of their gas reservoir to give birth to new stars, making them extremely efficient stellar nurseries." Sun praised the collaborative effort, noting that the research opens "a rare window into cosmic history, allowing us to glimpse the distant past in our own cosmic backyard." The [248th AAS meeting runs through June 18 at the Pasadena Convention Center.](https://aas.org/meetings/aas248) ## Sources - [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/research/uk-led-study-uncovers-hidden-star-clusters-deep-inside-nearby-galaxies) - [American Astronomical Society 248th meeting information](https://aas.org/meetings/aas248) - [Jiayi Sun faculty profile at University of Kentucky](https://pa.as.uky.edu/users/jsu294) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from University of Kentucky News, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://uknow.uky.edu/research/uk-led-study-uncovers-hidden-star-clusters-deep-inside-nearby-galaxies.