In a breakthrough that redefines our understanding of the universe, scientists have made a huge discovery by observing a giant galaxy known as Gz9p3, with the James Webb Telescope (JWST). This discovery is particularly noteworthy not only for the galaxy's enormous size but also for its age, shedding new light on the early stages of the universe.
The research team was surprised by this discovery, and published a study in the famous journal Nature Astronomy, which highlighted that the mass of Gz9p3 is ten times greater than the mass of the most massive galaxy previously known, which dates back to the “infancy” of the universe. These observations were made possible by the James Webb Space Telescope's unique ability to capture high-resolution images of stars and systems that formed just 510 million years after the Big Bang, a cataclysmic event considered the birth of the universe.
A glimpse into cosmic beginnings
From the captured images, it was possible to conclude that Gz9p3 arose from the merger of two ancient galactic systems. This phenomenon is manifested by the presence of two very bright spots, indicating a collision between galaxies, which perhaps, due to the temporal distance, is still continuing before our eyes.
“The James Webb Space Telescope provided an image indicating a typical shape of two galaxies in the process of merging.“Explains Kate Boyett, a co-author of the study, in an article for the University of Melbourne.This may be one of the most distant galaxy mergers ever observed, a fact that allows us to improve our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies in the universe.“.
Understanding stellar structure
One interesting aspect of this discovery is the difference in composition between old and new stars within Gz9p3, which was revealed through the use of spectroscopy. The oldest stars actually converted all their hydrogen into helium, which later evolved into heavier elements, called “metals.” Therefore, analyzing these elements allows scientists to estimate the age of stars more accurately.
In contrast to the expected star formation, Gz9p3 indicated an accelerated process of star aging, challenging previous theories about the dynamics of galaxies isolated in space. The study suggests that galaxies like Gz9p3, which are the result of mergers, share elements of star formation, leading to denser and more diverse star populations.
The future of the Milky Way
Mirroring the phenomena observed in Gz9p3, our galaxy, the Milky Way, is undergoing slow star formation due to its isolation. However, this scenario is expected to change radically with the imminent collision with the Andromeda Galaxy, expected to occur in about 4.5 billion years. Such an event could activate the star formation process in our galaxy.
Kit Boyett reflects on the future of astronomical observations: “The James Webb Space Telescope has opened a new chapter in astronomy, allowing us to glimpse galaxy mergers that occurred in the early universe and better understand the efficiency of star formation under these primitive conditions.”
As we continue to explore the universe, discoveries such as the discovery of the Gz9p3 galaxy reinforce the importance of technological and scientific advances in the quest to understand the vastness and complexity of the universe in which we live.
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