Discovery of one of the oldest galaxies in the early universe

Observations with the James Webb Space Telescope reveal that the Gz9p3 object is indeed one of the oldest giant galaxies in the early universe.

Previously, the Hubble space telescope observed Gz9p3, but only saw it as two large bright spots, not one of the oldest galaxies ever discovered, according to LiveScience on March 19.

Complex shape of galaxy Gz9p3. (Photo: NASA).

The international Glass Collaboration has made detailed observations of the galaxy Gz9p3 using the James Webb telescope. The team that discovered Gz9p3 is only 510 million years after the Big Bang  - the early period of the universe is now 13.8 billion years old.

Like other early galaxies observed by the James Webb telescope, Gz9p3 is more massive and mature than expected for galaxies in the early universe. At the time Gz9p3 was discovered, the galaxy appeared to contain billions of stars.

In addition, Gz9p3 is not only heavier than expected, but also about 10 times more massive than other galaxies observed with the James Webb telescope during similar periods in the history of the universe, according to research published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Using the James Webb telescope and direct imaging, the observation team also determined that Gz9p3 has a complex shape with two bright spots revealing two nuclei. This suggests that Gz9p3 was likely created when two early galaxies collided in the early universe. The collision was likely still ongoing while astronomers observed Gz9p3 with the James Webb telescope.

Most galaxies in the universe develop this way: annexing smaller satellite galaxies orbiting them and forming stars. Thanks to observations of Gz9p3, astronomers found that galaxies could accumulate mass rapidly in the early universe through mergers, and that star formation was an important factor in the more primitive universe. initial prediction.

Observing Gz9p3 and others with the James Webb telescope are helping astrophysicists refine their models of the early years of the universe.