UPDATE:  SOLVED by Patrick at 1:33 CDT

Happy Saturday, everybody.  The riddle is still posting at noon CDT, but don’t think the final decision has been made.  I’m still open for comments on Riddle Business.

Who besides me is completely bowled over by UDFy-38135539?  I am so excited about that.  A confirmed redshift of 8.6″ (or 8.55″, thereabouts)?  WOW!  Don’t worry, the riddle isn’t going to be about this… that would violate Da Rules; but do expect to see a post about it in the near future.

For your riddle today, you are looking for a thing in the real world.

The Hubble ST - NASA

We think of this thing as a single object, but it probably is not.

This was not known to our distant ancestors.

In fact, it was not known until the 20th century.

Subject to random temper-tantrums, we all hope this little Diva will grow up someday…

…but that “someday” may be quite far in the future.

If Jupiter put on a little weight, it might give Miss Thing a run for her money.

This Diva is not known to have companions, but who knows?  Little Divas often have little posses.

It does have the distinction of being “friends” with a Diva who is very beloved to us.

That friendship, however, is half over.

Today’s answer is decently represented in SciFi.

Brought to you by NASA

There.  That should keep you occupied for about, oh, maybe 20 seconds.  I’m once again having bad weather here (“here” is all ABOUT bad weather), so if I crash, Tom’s still with us.  Hopefully.  As far as I know, I’m in the comments.