This galaxy breaks all distance records 🔭

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has just pushed the boundaries of astronomical observation. A galaxy named MoM-z14 has been identified as the most distant object ever observed.

This discovery, published on the arXiv preprint server, places MoM-z14 at just 280 million years after the Big Bang. Researchers used the redshift technique to confirm its distance, with a record value of 14.44.


MoM-z14 is remarkably compact, measuring about 240 light-years in diameter. Despite its small size, it emits an amount of light comparable to that of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way.

Observations reveal that MoM-z14 is undergoing a rapid star formation episode. Its chemical composition, rich in nitrogen relative to carbon, resembles that of the Milky Way's globular clusters. This suggests star formation mechanisms similar to the early stages of the Universe.

JWST continues to surprise the scientific community with its discoveries. These ancient and bright galaxies challenge current theories about galaxy formation shortly after the Big Bang.

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, scheduled for launch in 2027, could deepen this research. In the meantime, JWST may well break its own record again, exploring even higher redshifts and getting closer to the era of the first stars.

How do we measure the age of a distant galaxy?

The main method relies on redshift, a phenomenon where light from distant objects is shifted toward the red due to the expansion of the Universe. The higher the redshift, the more distant and ancient the object.

Scientists use spectrographs to analyze galaxy light and determine their redshift. This technique allows us to travel back in cosmic time and study the earliest phases of the Universe.

JWST, with its infrared capabilities, is particularly suited for observing these high-redshift objects. Its instruments can detect galaxies invisible to traditional optical telescopes.

These observations are crucial for understanding how the first galaxies formed and evolved over billions of years.

What is rapid star formation?

Rapid star formation refers to a period when a galaxy produces stars at a much higher rate than normal. These episodes can be triggered by galactic collisions or particular environmental conditions.

In the case of MoM-z14, this intense activity suggests that early galaxies could achieve rapid maturity. This contrasts with models that predicted slower growth in the young Universe.

Studying these phenomena helps astronomers better understand the mechanisms governing galaxy life. It also provides clues about the origin of heavy elements in the Universe.

Future space missions, like the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope, will allow these processes to be studied with unprecedented precision.