By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Astronomy researchers led by the University of Pretoria's Doctor Thato Manamela have discovered the most distant hydroxyl mega maser ever recorded. In simple terms, this is a powerful "cosmic laser" originating from a violent galaxy merger more than eight billion light-years away. The breakthrough was made possible by the MeerKAT radio telescope and "gravitational lensing" - a phenomenon where a foreground galaxy acts as a natural magnifying glass. Matthew spoke to Dr. Manamela about this remarkable discovery and what it means for the study of space in South Africa... 

<p>By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Astronomy researchers led by the University of Pretoria's Doctor Thato Manamela have discovered the most distant hydroxyl mega maser ever recorded. In simple terms, this is a powerful "cosmic laser" originating from a violent galaxy merger more than eight billion light-years away. The breakthrough was made possible by the MeerKAT radio telescope and "gravitational lensing" - a phenomenon where a foreground galaxy acts as a natural magnifying glass. Matthew spoke to Dr. Manamela about this remarkable discovery and what it means for the study of space in South Africa...&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Award-winning Current Affairs programme and News talk show. Brought to you by SABC News.</p>