JADES-GS-z14-0

Source:

IndianExpress

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Context

• NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered the earliest-known galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0.
• This galaxy, observed by the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) program, formed approximately 290 million years after the Big Bang.
• The JADES team also identified another early galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-1, which formed about 303 million years after the Big Bang, with a mass of 100 million solar masses and forming about two new stars per year.

Details

• Size:Measures about 1,700 light-years across.
• Time:Approximately 290 million years post-Big Bang, which translates to the galaxy existing when the universe was just 2% of its current age.
• Mass:Equivalent to 500 million solar masses.
• Star Formation Rate:Rapidly forming new stars, about 20 per year.

Significance of the Discovery

• Earliest-Known Galaxy:Previously, the earliest-known galaxy was dated to about 320 million years post-Big Bang.
• Brightness and Size:The galaxy is surprisingly bright and large, challenging current understanding of galaxy formation in the early universe.

Hypotheses on Brightness 

• Three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the luminosity of early galaxies:

1. Supermassive Black Holes: Initially thought that supermassive black holes consuming material might cause the brightness. This hypothesis has been ruled out as the light is spread over a wider area than expected from black hole activity.
2. Star Population Density: The galaxies could be more densely populated with stars than previously thought.
3. Star Brightness: The stars in these early galaxies might be intrinsically brighter than stars found in the current universe.

Must read article: James_Web_Telescope

Sources: IndianExpress

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements regarding JADES-GS-z14-0: This galaxy has been observed by the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) program. It measures 1.7 light years across. The galaxy was formed during the Big Bang phenomenon. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Options: A. 1 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2, and 3 Answer: A