The James Webb Telescope has discovered that the early universe had more than 700 galaxies,
a finding not known before. Scientists led an investigation
into galaxies that existed only a few million years after the big bang.
This crucial period of time, according to the Standard Model of Cosmology,
is known as the Epoch of Reionization. During this era, we believed that the
universe was filled with a gaseous fog that made it opaque to energetic light.
Our models show that only by one billion years after the big bang,
did the fog clear and the universe became transparent, a process known as reionization.
So, during the Epoch of Reionozation, star formation was thought to be
impossible, let alone galaxies. But boy did Webb prove us wrong.
Yes, in a surprising twist, scientists have identified more than 700 candidate
galaxies near the edge of the universe. These galaxies have been spotted when
the universe was a baby, between 370 million and 650 million years old.
The sheer number of these galaxies was far beyond predictions from observations made
before Webb's launch. The observatory's exquisite resolution and sensitivity are
allowing astronomers to get a better view of these distant galaxies than ever before.
"Previously, the earliest galaxies we could see just looked like little smudges.
And yet those smudges represent millions or even billions of stars at the beginning of
the universe," said a NASA scientist. "Now, we can see that some of them are
actually extended objects with visible structures. We can see groupings of stars
being born only a few hundred million years after the beginning of time."
These new findings shed light on how the first galaxies and stars formed,
creating the rich catalogue of elements observed in the universe today.
But more importantly, this finding also suggests that we may have to go back to the drawing board.
And if you think that this is the most impressive feat observed by Webb, wait till you hear this.
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered evidence of
complex organic molecules, similar to smoke or smog, in a distant galaxy.
This is the oldest known example of complex organic molecules in the universe found by humans.
And what it has done, is that it has pushed back the old record for detections like this,
by about an extra billion years.
These chemicals have been detected within an early galaxy,
that formed when the universe was about 10% of its current age.
The carbon-based molecules, technically known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
are found in oil and coal deposits on Earth, as well as in smog.
But what is the significance of this finding?
Justin Spiker, lead astronomer of the study, makes it very clear that
the molecules we found aren't simple things like water or carbon dioxide.
We're talking about big, floppy molecules with dozens or hundreds of atoms in them.
Isn’t it remarkable that the universe could make really large and complex molecules very
quickly after the big bang, when our models suggest that they couldn’t have?
Given the extreme distance of the galaxy, the light the astronomers detected,
began its journey less than 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang.
The universe is currently about 13.8 billion years old.
We are looking at the beginning of the formation of the universe as we see it today.
But here’s the catch.
It is because of Webb that we have been able to detect these complex organic molecules,
pushes back the old record for detections like this by about an extra billion years.
Imagine if we could look farther back in time, is it possible that we find more
of these molecules, and that to, extremely close to the big bang?
Where does that leave our science, our cosmological model?
Now here’s the thing.
Previous efforts to detect complex organic molecules in ancient galaxies,
could only tell if the chemicals were there or not.
With Webb’s resolution, we can now see actual details of where within a galaxy
the molecules are located. In this early- galaxy, called SPT 04 18 47,
the presence of these molecules is not uniform, and the reason for this remains to be explained.
Also, this discovery proves that it is possible for galaxies to form in the early universe where
much was thought to be happening. What is fascinating however is that the galaxy
was already just as massive, and its stars have formed just as much carbon and oxygen,
as our own Milky Way, even though it's only a tenth the age of our galaxy.
It's like a third grader who's already lived an entire career, gone to college,
accomplished a career's worth of work, and then retired at age eight.
And if that doesn’t fascinate you, this finding also proved another of theory wrong.
Scientists previously thought that these complex organic molecules were linked with star formation.
However, the new data revealed this might not always prove true.
Spilker and his colleagues found lots of regions with these molecules,
but no star formation, and other regions with new stars forming, but none of these molecules.
According to the standard model of cosmology, after the universe came out of the big bang,
it took between 500 million to 1 billion years for the first stars to form.
That however, is changing.
We are not just finding single stars, but clusters of them in the early universe
and that, has the whole scientific community stunned.
The star clusters in question are called globular clusters,
ancient celestial enclaves born approximately 13.4 billion years ago.
They are not only the most massive and ancient of star groupings,
but they also possess a peculiar characteristic, compositional variation among their stars.
Picture this: stars born together, side by side,
emerging from the same cosmic womb of collapsing gas and dust.
Yet, despite their shared origins, they exhibit striking differences
in the abundance of elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sodium, and aluminium.
This enigma, known as abundance anomalies, has perplexed astronomers for years,
challenging their attempts to decipher the cosmic puzzle.
Undeterred by the challenge, the research team embarks on a quest
to uncover the telltale signs of these supermassive stars.
They turn to the James Webb Space Telescope's infrared vision,
seeking to catch glimpses of globular clusters in their nascent stages.
Through the telescope's remarkable capabilities, they peer into the distant reaches of space
and fix their gaze upon GN-z11, one of the most ancient and distant galaxies known to humankind.
Situated a staggering 13.3 billion light-years away,
JWST captures the galaxy in its infancy, a mere few tens of millions of years old,
making it an ideal hunting ground for young globular clusters.
It is the distinct nature of light that guides their investigation.
Chemical elements possess unique absorption and emission patterns,
leaving behind "fingerprints" that reveal the composition of celestial objects.
The astronomers meticulously break down the light emanating from GN-z11,
unearthing two vital pieces of information that propel their quest forward.
"We have determined that GN-z11 contains exceptionally high proportions of nitrogen
and an abundance of stars," remarks Daniel Schaerer,
a distinguished member of the study team and an astronomy professor at the University of Geneva.
These findings paint a vivid picture—one that suggests the birth of multiple globular
clusters within GN-z11 and the presence of active supermassive stars within them.
With the James Webb Space Telescope as their guide, they will extend their gaze to distant
galaxies, exploring more globular clusters and seeking patterns that affirm their theories.
As humanity ventures forth into the unknown, armed with knowledge and a
thirst for understanding, we are humbled by the magnitude and complexity of the cosmos.
And with each breakthrough, we inch closer to
deciphering the secrets that lie hidden among the stars.
With the way Webb is performing,
it is only a matter of time before the universe shines in a new light.
What do you guys think?
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because together, we will explore.