Leo IV (dwarf galaxy)

Leo IV is an ultra-faint dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) located in the constellation Leo. Discovered in 2006 by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), it is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.

Leo IV is one of the faintest and most dark matter-dominated galaxies known. Its luminosity is extremely low, estimated to be only a few thousand times that of the Sun. The galaxy's stellar population is old and metal-poor, indicating that star formation ceased early in its history.

Located at a distance of approximately 160 kiloparsecs (520,000 light-years) from the Sun, Leo IV resides in the outer halo of the Milky Way. Its small size and low luminosity make it difficult to study, but its properties provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of dwarf galaxies, as well as the nature of dark matter. Leo IV appears to be tidally disrupted, suggesting it is undergoing gravitational interactions with the Milky Way.

The exact nature of its formation and its relationship to other dwarf galaxies in the Milky Way's halo remains an area of ongoing research. It is often considered alongside its slightly brighter neighbor, Leo V, and their potential common origin is debated. Further observations and analysis are crucial to fully understand the characteristics and history of this ultra-faint dwarf galaxy.