An astronomer has announced that a distant galaxy discovered by his research team has been given the name SL3 as a tribute to students in Serbia, connecting an astronomical discovery with the country’s student movement.
The researcher shared the announcement on X, explaining that his team had identified 17 galaxies in deep space approximately a year earlier using observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
He said he had decided to dedicate one of those galaxies to Serbian students.
“From today, students of Serbia have their own galaxy! GALAXY SL3!” the researcher wrote, according to Serbian Times.
The announcement included the hashtag #Studentisupobedili, meaning “Students have won,” linking the dedication to Serbia’s student movement.
Od danas, studenti Srbije imaju svoju galaksiju! GALAKSIJA SL3!🙂
(1/3) Pre godinu dana, teleskopima ALMA i Džejms Veb, moj tim i ja smo otkrili 17 galaksija u dubokom svemiru. U čast studenata, odlučio sam da jednu od njih nazovem SL3. Upoznajte je👇
#Studentisupobedili https://t.co/J09txzf2HB— Dr. Darko Donevski (@darkOenergy) October 30, 2026
A Discovery Beyond Earth
According to the researcher’s account, the galaxy was among 17 distant objects identified through observations made with two of the world’s most advanced astronomical facilities.
The James Webb Space Telescope allows scientists to observe extremely distant galaxies and investigate the early stages of the universe.
ALMA, an international observatory located in Chile, uses an array of radio antennas to study cold gas, cosmic dust and the processes involved in star formation.
Combining observations from these instruments helps astronomers examine the structure and evolution of distant galaxies.
The designation SL3 was presented as a symbolic tribute to Serbian students.
However, the original announcement does not establish whether SL3 is an officially recognized astronomical designation or an informal name selected by the researcher.
A Symbolic Connection to Serbia’s Student Movement
The dedication connects scientific research with the student movement in Serbia, which has attracted attention beyond the country’s borders.
By choosing the designation SL3, the astronomer sought to acknowledge the students through a discovery made far beyond Earth.
The announcement also illustrates how researchers sometimes use scientific discoveries to express personal or cultural connections.
Although the galaxy’s formal naming status remains unclear, the gesture has given the discovery an additional meaning for those following events in Serbia.
Further information about the research team, the galaxy’s scientific characteristics and its catalog designation would help establish the precise astronomical status of SL3.
