University of Cambridge astronomers have found new nine dwarf galaxies in orbit around the Milky Way . They are the first to be discovered orbiting the Milky Way in 2006 since dozens were found in 2005 and a decade . There are nine in total , ranging in distance from 95,000 to 1.2 million light-years . Each is a billion times dimmer and a million times less massive than the Milky Way , and contain much fewer stars . But they are thought to be 99 % dark matter - which could help confirm theories of its presence in the cosmos .
University of Cambridge astronomers have found new nine dwarf galaxies in orbit around the Milky Way . They are the first to be discovered orbiting the Milky Way in a decade since dozens were found in 2005 and 2006 . There are nine in total , ranging in distance from 95,000 to 1.2 million light-years . Each is a billion times dimmer and a million times less massive than the Milky Way , and contain much fewer stars . But they are thought to be 99 % dark matter - which could help confirm theories of its presence in the cosmos .