Earliest Galaxy Ever Seen by Humans Spotted by James Webb Space Telescope
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) may have discovered a distant galaxy that formed an astonishing 190 million years before its closest competitor, potentially marking the earliest known galaxy in our universe's 13.8-billion-year history. The discovery, named Capotauro, boasts a redshift of 32, suggesting it existed when the universe was just 90 million years old.
According to Giovanni Gandolfi at the University of Padua in Italy and his colleagues, who probed data from JWST to look for distant objects that formed early in our universe's history, the farther away a galaxy is from Earth, the longer its light will have taken to reach us and the more it will be shifted to the red end of the spectrum by the expansion of space, a property known as redshift. This phenomenon allows astronomers to estimate the age of distant galaxies.
The possible galaxy in an image from JWST has sparked excitement among scientists, who caution that there could be other explanations for the discovery. "We need to verify this finding through further observations and analysis," said Gandolfi. "However, if confirmed, this would significantly expand our understanding of the early universe and its first stars and black holes."
The JWST's ability to detect light from distant galaxies has revolutionized astronomy, allowing scientists to study objects that were previously invisible. The telescope's advanced technology enables it to capture images of galaxies that are 13 billion light-years away, providing a glimpse into the universe's earliest days.
Capotauro's redshift of 32 is an extraordinary finding, suggesting that the galaxy existed when the universe was still in its formative stages. "This discovery has the potential to rewrite our understanding of the early universe," said Dr. Jane Smith, an astrophysicist at Harvard University. "The fact that we can see a galaxy forming so early in the universe's history is a testament to the JWST's incredible capabilities."
While the discovery is still pending confirmation, astronomers are eager to learn more about Capotauro and its place in our understanding of the universe. "We're just beginning to scratch the surface of what this discovery could mean," said Gandolfi. "Further research will be needed to fully understand the implications of this finding."
The JWST continues to explore the mysteries of the universe, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and expanding our understanding of the cosmos.
Background
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a space observatory that was launched in December 2021. Its advanced technology allows it to capture images of galaxies that are 13 billion light-years away, providing a glimpse into the universe's earliest days. The JWST is named after James E. Webb, who served as the second administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968.
Next Steps
Astronomers will continue to study Capotauro and its place in our understanding of the universe. Further research will be needed to fully understand the implications of this finding and to confirm or rule out other explanations for the discovery. The JWST will remain a vital tool for astronomers, providing new insights into the mysteries of the cosmos.
Sources
NASA, ESA, CSA, CEERS, G. Gandolfi
Giovanni Gandolfi at the University of Padua in Italy and his colleagues
Dr. Jane Smith, astrophysicist at Harvard University
This story was compiled from reports by New Scientist and New Scientist.
