Cambridge, United Kingdom – Scientists using the James Webb space telescope recently captured an image of the most distant known galaxy, shedding light on the universe’s early stages. The galaxy, named JADES-GS-z14-0, was observed just 290 million years after the big bang, providing a glimpse into the dawn of the universe. This discovery breaks the previous record held by a galaxy seen 325 million years after the big bang, which occurred nearly 14 billion years ago.
Researchers were surprised by the newfound galaxy’s brightness, suggesting that the first generation of stars may have been more luminous or formed more rapidly than previously thought. Dr. Francesco D’Eugenio of the University of Cambridge, part of the discovery team, noted that early galaxies, including JADES-GS-z14-0, appear to be brighter than models predict, indicating a different universe from what exists today.
The James Webb space telescope, launched in 2021 with a $10 billion budget, boasts the ability to see further into the cosmos than any previous telescope. Due to the expansion of the universe, light from distant galaxies experiences redshift – stretching to longer wavelengths as it travels. This phenomenon is extreme in these galaxies, stretching even ultraviolet light to infrared wavelengths visible only with the James Webb telescope.
These observations of incredibly distant galaxies are revolutionizing scientists’ understanding of the early universe. Details emerging from these observations reveal that galaxies and black holes grew more rapidly than anticipated. Lead author Dr. Stefano Carniani of Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, described JADES-GS-z14-0 as the archetype of this phenomenon, highlighting the universe’s ability to form such a galaxy in just 300 million years.
The unexpected brightness of early galaxies like JADES-GS-z14-0 opens the door for even more distant observations with the James Webb telescope. Professor Brant Robertson of the University of California-Santa Cruz expressed excitement over the possibilities, stating that the telescope could potentially spot galaxies even 10 times fainter. This discovery suggests there may be even earlier examples waiting to be uncovered, offering new insights into the first 200 million years of the universe’s existence.