DUBAI: Astronomers have announced a record-breaking discovery using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), confirming the observation of the earliest known galaxy to date. Named MoM-z14, the galaxy was spotted as part of the ongoing Mirage (or Miracle) study and is believed to have formed only 280 million years after the Big Bang.
The discovery of James Webb earliest galaxy pushes the boundary of human understanding of the universe’s origins. Given that the Big Bang occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago, this observation offers an unprecedented glimpse into the cosmic dawn—the era when the first galaxies began to form.
The JWST, Earth’s most powerful infrared space telescope, uses advanced sensors to detect light from extremely distant celestial bodies. These bodies undergo a process known as redshift, where light wavelengths stretch as galaxies move farther away, appearing more red in colour. The James Webb earliest galaxy was identified through this phenomenon, showcasing light patterns similar to the earliest stars in the Milky Way.
MoM-z14 is classified as a compact, star-forming galaxy. It also shows characteristics of high nitrogen enrichment, making it one of the most chemically evolved early galaxies observed with JWST so far. The intense study of its structure and composition is helping scientists understand the processes that shaped the early universe.
Since its launch in 2021, JWST has continuously expanded the frontiers of space observation, capturing deep-universe data from billions of light years away. The findings from the James Webb earliest galaxy offer valuable insights into the formation of dense star clusters and the chemical pathways that existed in the early cosmos.
This discovery marks a significant leap forward in astrophysics, potentially redefining our theories on how and when the first galaxies were born.
