Webb Telescope Unveils Birth of Earliest Galaxies in the Universe

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Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have made a groundbreaking discovery by observing the formation of three of the earliest galaxies in the universe, dating back over 13 billion years. This observation, published in Science, marks the first time astronomers have directly witnessed the birth of galaxies. The team, led by researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute, captured signals of gas accumulating and forming mini-galaxies, providing the first direct evidence of early galaxy formation, previously only theorized through simulations.

The galaxies observed are estimated to have formed roughly 400-600 million years after the Big Bang, during a period known as the Epoch of Reionization. This was a crucial time in the universe's history when the first stars and galaxies began to emerge from the hydrogen gas that filled the universe after the Big Bang. The James Webb Space Telescope's infrared capabilities allowed researchers to detect these distant and ancient galaxies, revealing large amounts of hydrogen gas, the fundamental building blocks of stars and galaxies.

This discovery enhances our understanding of the universe’s early stages and the formation of its first structures. The research, conducted in collaboration with scientists from the Cosmic Dawn Center at the Niels Bohr Institute, brings humanity closer to answering fundamental questions about our origins. The team plans to continue their work by seeking more observation time with the James Webb Space Telescope to further explore the early universe and push our cosmic knowledge's boundaries.

This finding illuminates the process of galaxy formation and represents a significant step in understanding the earliest epochs of the universe, contributing to the broader quest to uncover the origins of the cosmos.