Relying on observations of Nasa‘s James Webb space telescopeResearchers at the University of Missouri identified 300 unusual candidates for the first galaxies.
In a recent study, researchers from the University of Missouri examined the distant regions of the universe and made a surprising discovery. By analyzing the infrared images captured by the NASA James Webb space telescope (JWST), they detected 300 brilliantly brilliantly than expected.
“These mysterious objects are candidate galaxies in the beginning of the universe, which means that they could Be very early in the galaxies, “said Haojing Yan, professor of astronomy at Mizzu’s College of Arts and Science and co-author of the study.” If even some of these objects prove to be what we think is, our discovery could question the current ideas on the way galaxies have been formed in the early universe-the period when the first stars and galaxies started to take shape. »»
The identification of objects in the universe is not immediate. It requires a deliberate and multi-stage process that brings together sophisticated technology, in-depth analysis and an astronomical detective work to determine what they really are.
Step 1: Identify the first clues
The Mizzou research team started their work with two of the advanced JWST infrared instruments: the almost infrared camera and the average infrared instrument. These tools are designed to capture light in the most distant regions of space, which makes them essential to study the early universe.
Why focus on infrared light? The reason is that the more an object is far from the earth, the more its light has traveled, extending into the infrared part of the spectrum when it arrives.
“While the light of these first galaxies moves in space, it extends into longer wavelengths – going from visible light in the infrared,” said Yan. “This stretch is called red, and it helps us to determine how far these galaxies are. The higher the red gap, the higher the galaxy of us on earth, and the more it is close to the beginning of the universe.”
Step 2: “dropout”
To determine the identity of each of the first 300 potential galaxies, Mizzou researchers applied a well -established approach known as the abandonment technique.
“He detects galaxies with high red shift by looking for objects that appear in redest wavelengths but which disappear in those of bluer – a sign that their light has traveled vast distances and time,” said Bangzheng “Tom” Sun, a doctorate. Student working with Yan and principal author of the study. “This phenomenon indicates the” rupture of Lyman “, a spectral characteristic caused by the absorption of ultraviolet light by neutral hydrogen. As the red gap increases, this signature moves to redest wavelengths. ”
Step 3: Estimate of details
Although the abandonment technique identifies each of the Galaxy candidates, the next step is to check if they could be “very high,” said Yan.
“Ideally, this would be done using spectroscopy, a technique that calms light on different wavelengths to identify the signatures which would allow a precise determination of shift to red,” he said.
But when complete spectroscopic data is not available, researchers can use a technique called adjustment of the spectral energy distribution. This method gave Sun and Yan a reference base to estimate the red splashes of their Galaxy candidates – as well as other properties such as age and mass.
In the past, scientists often thought that these extremely brilliant objects were not the first galaxies, but something else that imitated them. However, based on their conclusions, Sun and Yan believe that these objects deserve a more in -depth examination – and should not be so quickly excluded.
“Even if only some of these objects are confirmed in the start of the universe, they will force us to modify the existing theories of the formation of the galaxy,” said Yan.
Step 4: The final response
The final test will use spectroscopy – the gold stallion – to confirm the results of the team.
Spectroscopy divides light into different wavelengths, such as the way in which a prism divides light into a rainbow of colors. Scientists use this technique to reveal the unique digital imprint of a galaxy, which can tell them how old has galaxy, how it was formed and what it is done.
“One of our objects is already confirmed by spectroscopy as a first galaxy,” said Sun. “But this object alone is not enough. We will have to make additional confirmations to say with certainty if current theories are disputed.”
Reference: “On very brilliant abandonments selected using the James Webb space telescope Nircam Instrument »by Bangzheng Sun and Haojing Yan, June 27, 2025, THE Astrophysical Journal.
Two: 10.3847 / 1538-4357 / Addbe0
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