NASA's James Webb Space Telescope discovers earliest galaxy ever seen in the universe
The
James Webb Space Telescope
(JWST) has once again made history by discovering the most distant and ancient galaxy ever observed, named MoM z14. Located just 280 million years after the Big Bang, this galaxy pushes the boundaries of cosmic observation. The finding highlights JWST's exceptional ability to peer into the early universe, offering unprecedented insights into the formation of the first galaxies. With its record-breaking redshift of z = 14.44, MoM z14 not only redefines our understanding of galaxy evolution but also suggests that even earlier galaxies may soon be within reach, marking a new era in astronomy.
JWST discovers one of the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang
NASA's $10 billion space telescope has spotted a galaxy that was present only 280 million years after the Big Bang, a time that astronomers refer to as "cosmic dawn." The discovery team dubbed this galaxy MoM z14—"Mother of all early galaxies" for short.
"First and foremost, at the moment, this is the most distant object known to humanity," said Pieter van Dokkum, Yale University professor of Astronomy and Physics, in an interview. 'MoM z14 existed when the universe was about 280 million years old—we're getting quite close to the Big Bang. Just to put that in context, sharks have been around on Earth for a longer timespan!'
Since entering service in mid-2022, the JWST has been outstanding at detecting very distant galaxies by means of an effect known as redshift. When the universe gets bigger, light from old galaxies gets stretched, moving toward the red end of the spectrum. The more distant and thus older the galaxy is, the higher the redshift. Prior to MoM z14, the then-record holder was a galaxy named JADES-GS-z14-0, seen at a redshift of z = 14.32, some 300 million years following the Big Bang. MoM z14 is all the more impressive with a redshift of z = 14.44, extending modern astronomy's observational limits.
Discovery of MoM z14 reshapes the view of galaxy formation
In van Dokkum's view, the discovery of MoM z14 is not merely a new record—it provokes earlier hypotheses on the early formation of galaxies. "The bigger picture here is that JWST wasn't supposed to discover any galaxies this early in the universe's history at least, or at least at this point in the mission," he states.
Previous JWST models predicted significantly fewer bright galaxies in the universe's early days. Current observations indicate more than 100 such galaxies exist in the early universe—significantly more than before.
What sets MoM z14 apart
Aside from its record-setting age, scientists were able to glean useful insight into MoM z14's composition and structure:
Size: Roughly 50 times smaller than the Milky Way.
Star formation: The galaxy possesses unexplained emission lines showing that it is extremely young and quickly producing new stars.
Chemical composition: Existence of carbon and nitrogen, which implies that it's not one of the absolute first generation galaxies.
"These things suggest that there had to be previous galaxies made only of hydrogen and helium that existed prior to MoM z14," said van Dokkum. "MoM z14 might be the first generation of 'normal' galaxies that started making heavier elements using processes in stars."
Also Read |
Meteorite that hit Earth 3.26 billion years ago may have sparked good news for life, study reveals
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Closest- ever glimpse of the Sun: Nasa probe captures rare solar fury— watch
Closest- ever glimpse of the sun (Image: Youtube/ NASAGoddard) Nasa in a landmark development for space science has released never-seen-before close-range footage of the Sun's violent activity, recorded by its Parker Solar Probe . The images offer a rare, real-time look into one of the most powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) ever captured. Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe was designed to study the Sun's outer atmosphere — the corona. On December 24, 2024, it made its closest-ever approach, flying just 3.8 million miles from the Sun's surface, and captured highly detailed images of a CME using its onboard camera system, WISPR (wide-field imager for parker solar probe). The Closest Images Ever Taken of the Sun's Atmosphere The visuals revealed turbulent flows and swirling eddies inside the CME — the first direct visual proof of Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, a fluid dynamic effect long suspected but never observed this close to the Sun. Since its launch, the Parker Probe has consistently broken its own records for closest distance to the Sun. The visuals mark the first time scientists have directly observed such detailed solar plasma behaviour from within the CME itself. 'We're watching CMEs pile up on each other,' said Angelos Vourlidas, scientist at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, which built and operates the probe. 'This helps us learn how they merge and how that affects space weather.' Despite flying through intense heat and radiation, Nasa has confirmed that all systems of Parker Probe remained fully operational, showcasing the engineering marvel behind the mission. What Parker Probe revealed so far Experts believe the data could vastly enhance predictions for space weather, which affect not just satellites but also astronaut safety in space and global communication systems. "We are witnessing where space weather threats to Earth begin, with our eyes, not just with models," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator at Nasa. "This new data will also help us improve our technology for the safety of astronauts and our technology, both in space and on Earth." Its next flyby is scheduled for September 15, 2025, with scientists hoping to unlock further secrets about how solar outflows originate and evolve.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Pink Villa
The Big Bang Theory Spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Gets Picked on OTT, Will Sheldon and Leonard Return?
HBO Max is moving ahead with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, a new spinoff of The Big Bang Theory. The show will star Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom, the beloved owner of a comic book store, alongside Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, and John Ross Bowie. The spinoff was first announced in April 2023 but has now been officially picked up with a detailed premise. Chuck Lorre takes Big Bang into sci-fi Chuck Lorre, the co-creator of The Big Bang Theory, is behind the new project. He will executive produce with Bill Prady and Zak Penn. Lorre shared, 'I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone.' He added that the series will mix science fiction and comedy, a big step from the original show. According to Deadline, Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, said, 'We're excited to be continuing the legacy of The Big Bang Theory. This new chapter wouldn't be possible without Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady, and Zak Penn.' Stuart's quest to fix the multiverse The spinoff, titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, is set in the future, following the conclusion of the original series. In the story, Stuart accidentally destroys a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, creating a multiverse Armageddon. He must fix reality with the help of his girlfriend, Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist Bert (Brian Posehn), and quantum physicist Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie). Bill Prady said, 'Putting characters we loved from The Big Bang Theory into a complex science fiction story with the kind of mythology that those characters love while maintaining the comedic elements is incredibly satisfying.' Here's what to expect: Will Sheldon and Leonard return? The show will feature alternate-universe versions of original characters. This means fans could see familiar faces again. No official names have been revealed, but since Sheldon and Leonard built the device, Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki may appear. Zak Penn, known for The Avengers and Ready Player One, is co-writing the spinoff. He joked that he was on a vision quest deep in the Amazon Rainforest when a carrier pigeon brought him a note from Chuck Lorre asking him to join the project. So far, 10 scripts have been written. The main cast conducted an informal table read in March to refine the story before pitching it to HBO Max. Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, said, 'Chuck and Bill have given us one of the most enduring comedies of our time with The Big Bang Theory, and we can't wait to see the universe continue with this new series.' Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will be filmed in Los Angeles, like the original show. The project comes from Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Trump administration planning to cut over 2,145 NASA employees
NASA is set to cut over 2,000 senior-ranking employees as part of a cost-cutting initiative led by the Trump administration, sparking widespread concern across the scientific community. Internal documents show that these departures, driven by early retirement offers, buyouts, and deferred resignations, are part of a broader White House effort to reduce the size of the federal workforce. Many of those leaving hold GS-13 to GS-15 roles, positions that demand specialized technical skills or management expertise. The cuts coincide with a proposed 25% reduction in NASA's 2026 fiscal budget, raising alarms that critical space exploration missions, including future Moon and Mars landings, may face significant delays or disruptions. The 2,145 staff set to depart include 875 GS-15 employees, the agency's most experienced personnel. Over 1,800 of them serve directly in NASA's core mission areas—science, engineering, and human spaceflight—while the rest support crucial infrastructure like IT and finance. Experts warn that the loss of such highly skilled individuals represents a brain drain that could significantly impair NASA's long-term capabilities. NASA centers hit the hardest with Trump's budget cuts The staff cuts are spread across all ten NASA regional centers. The Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland faces the highest loss with 607 employees departing. Johnson Space Center in Texas will lose 366, Kennedy Space Center in Florida 311, and NASA headquarters in Washington 307. These centers are integral to operations ranging from mission control to rocket launches. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Impact of budget cuts on Moon and Mars missions The cuts coincide with Trump's proposed budget that aims to reduce NASA's workforce by over 5,000 employees. With Artemis missions targeting a Moon landing by 2027 and human missions to Mars in later years, the loss of technical and managerial staff could derail timelines. Critics argue that these reductions risk ceding America's space leadership to nations like China, which continues to ramp up its space science efforts. Former NASA leaders sound the alarm Seven former directors of NASA's Science Mission Directorate have publicly condemned the proposed 47% budget cut to science programs. In a joint letter to Congress, they warned that gutting space science could halt decades of innovation, citing landmark achievements such as the Mars rover landings and the James Webb Space Telescope. Internal uncertainty and no permanent administrator Morale within NASA has taken a hit. The agency is still without a Senate-confirmed administrator after Trump abruptly withdrew his own nominee, Jared Isaacman, reportedly due to ties with Elon Musk. Staffers report growing anxiety over leadership gaps and the uncertainty created by budget politics. Will Congress intervene? The final decision on the budget rests with Congress. While the Senate Commerce Committee has signaled support for maintaining NASA staffing levels, it remains unclear whether lawmakers will fully reject the White House's proposal. However, analysts say that even if funding is restored, attracting back lost talent could be a formidable challenge in a competitive space industry.
