University of Copenhagen astronomers make historic discovery
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a groundbreaking discovery using the James Webb Space Telescope, becoming the first to observe the formation of three of the earliest galaxies in the universe, dating back more than 13 billion years.
Detailed findings published
A study published on May 23 in the journal Science details this stunning revelation, which offers crucial insights into the early universe. The researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute witnessed the birth of these galaxies, estimated to have occurred between 13.3 and 13.4 billion years ago.
The James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope ever launched into space, provided the first direct observations of these formative galaxies. Assistant Professor Kasper Elm Heintz, who led the study, explained, “These are the first ‘direct’ images of galaxy formation that we’ve ever seen. James Webb has previously shown us early galaxies at later stages of evolution, but here we witness their very birth and the construction of the first star systems in the universe.”
Observations
The researchers observed signals from large amounts of gas accumulating on mini-galaxies in the process of being formed, confirming long-standing theories about galaxy formation. This is the first time such a process has been directly observed.
According to NASA, Webb’s ultra-sensitive instruments detected dense gas surrounding these galaxies, primarily hydrogen and helium, the earliest elements in the cosmos. This gas is expected to fuel the formation of new stars within these galaxies.
Interconnected galaxies
Heintz noted, “These galaxies are like sparkling islands in a sea of otherwise neutral, opaque gas. Without Webb, we would not be able to observe these very early galaxies, let alone learn so much about their formation.” Co-author Simone Nielsen added, “At this stage in the history of the universe, galaxies are all intimately connected to the intergalactic medium with its filaments and structures of pristine gas.”
This discovery marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the universe’s origins and the early stages of galaxy formation.