Skip to content
Free updates Login
SSCRailwayUPSC & State PSC

Hubble Finds Starless Gas Cloud Cloud-9 Near Messier-94

9 January 20261 min read
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYHubble FindsStarless Gas CloudCloud-9 NearMessier-949 January 2026safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Hubble picked up an unusual object: a gas cloud with no stars that is dominated by dark matter. It was named Cloud-9.

Key facts

  • Discovered by: NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, January 2026.
  • Location: near Messier-94, around 14 million light-years away.
  • Nature: starless hydrogen gas cloud.
  • Detection: invisible in visible light; seen only through its hydrogen.
PropertyValue
NicknameCloud-9
TypeStarless hydrogen gas cloud
DiameterAbout 4,900 light-years
Dark matter massAbout 5 billion solar masses
DistanceAbout 14 million light-years

Exam angle

  • Telescope: Hubble, run by NASA.
  • Neighbouring object: Messier-94.
  • What makes it special: no stars, found only via hydrogen.
  • Dominant component: dark matter.

Test yourself

1. Cloud-9, found by Hubble, is best described as what?

The notes call it a starless, dark-matter-dominated hydrogen cloud.

2. Near which object was the Cloud-9 gas cloud discovered?

Cloud-9 lies near Messier-94.

3. About how wide is Cloud-9, as listed in the notes?

Its diameter is roughly 4,900 light-years.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 8 January 2026 (16 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizJanuary 2026

Read more