\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWebb Unlocks Secrets of One of the Most Distant Galaxies Ever Seen\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/webb-stsci-01hdhjt8rhwt291je8zjvp9nm2.png?w=1536\")
<\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nNASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument shows a portion of the GOODS-North field of galaxies. At lower right, a pullout highlights the galaxy GN-z11.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA, ESA, CSA, Brant Robertson (UC Santa Cruz), Ben Johnson (CfA), Sandro Tacchella (Cambridge), Marcia Rieke (University of Arizona), Daniel Eisenstein (CfA)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\nLooking deeply into space and time, two teams using NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope have studied the exceptionally luminous galaxy GN-z11, which existed when our 13.8 billion-year-old universe was only about 430 million years old.<\/p>\n
Initially detected with NASA\u2019s Hubble Space Telescope<\/a>, this galaxy \u2014 one of the youngest and most distant ever observed \u00a0\u2014 is so bright that it is challenging scientists to understand why. Now, GN-z11 is giving up some of its secrets.<\/p>\nVigorous Black Hole Is Most Distant Ever Found<\/strong><\/h2>\nA team studying GN-z11 with Webb found the first clear evidence that the galaxy is hosting a central, supermassive black hole that is rapidly accreting matter. Their finding makes this the farthest active supermassive black hole spotted to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found extremely dense gas that is common in the vicinity of supermassive black holes accreting gas,\u201d explained principal investigator Roberto Maiolino of the Cavendish Laboratory and the Kavli Institute of Cosmology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. \u201cThese were the first clear signatures that GN-z11 is hosting a black hole that is gobbling matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Image: GOODS-North field of galaxies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/webb-stsci-01hdhjt8rhwt291je8zjvp9nm2.png?w=2048\")
<\/figure>\nThis image from NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument shows a portion of the GOODS-North field of galaxies. At lower right, a pullout highlights the galaxy GN-z11, which is seen at a time just 430 million years after the big bang. The image reveals an extended component, tracing the GN-z11 host galaxy, and a central compact source whose colors are consistent with those of an accretion disk surrounding a black hole.<\/div>\nNASA, ESA, CSA, Brant Robertson (UC Santa Cruz), Ben Johnson (CfA), Sandro Tacchella (Cambridge), Marcia Rieke (University of Arizona), Daniel Eisenstein (CfA)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nUsing Webb, the team also found indications of ionized chemical elements typically observed near accreting supermassive black holes. Additionally, they discovered a very powerful wind being expelled by the galaxy. Such high-velocity winds are typically driven by processes associated with vigorously accreting supermassive black holes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWebb\u2019s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) has revealed an extended component, tracing the host galaxy, and a central, compact source whose colors are consistent with those of an accretion disk surrounding a black hole,\u201d said investigator Hannah \u00dcbler, also of<\/em> the Cavendish Laboratory and the Kavli Institute.<\/p>\nTogether, this evidence shows that GN-z11 hosts a 2-million-solar-mass, supermassive black hole in a very active phase of consuming matter, which is why it\u2019s so luminous.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Pristine Gas Clump in GN-z11\u2019s Halo Intrigues Researchers<\/strong><\/h2>\nA second team, also led by Maiolino, used Webb\u2019s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) to find a gaseous clump of helium in the halo surrounding GN-z11.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that we don\u2019t see anything else beyond helium suggests that this clump must be fairly pristine,\u201d said Maiolino. \u201cThis is something that was expected by theory and simulations in the vicinity of particularly massive galaxies from these epochs \u2014 that there should be pockets of pristine gas surviving in the halo, and these may collapse and form Population III star clusters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finding the never-before-seen Population III stars \u2014 the first generation of stars formed almost entirely from hydrogen and helium \u2014 is one of the most important goals of modern astrophysics. These stars are anticipated to be very massive, very luminous, and very hot. Their expected signature is the presence of ionized helium and the absence of chemical elements heavier than helium.<\/p>\n
The formation of the first stars and galaxies marks a fundamental shift in cosmic history, during which the universe evolved from a dark and relatively simple state into the highly structured and complex environment we see today.<\/p>\n
Image: Pristine Gas Clump Near GN-z11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/webb-stsci-01hqr7pfnrg5rkrgqdr0nf3xtg.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/figure>\nThis two-part graphic shows evidence of a gaseous clump of helium in the halo surrounding galaxy GN-z11. In the top portion, at the far right, a small box identifies GN-z11 in a field of galaxies. The middle box shows a zoomed-in image of the galaxy. The box at the far left displays a map of the helium gas in the halo of GN-z11, including a clump that does not appear in the infrared colors shown in the middle panel. In the lower half of the graphic, a spectrum shows the distinct \u201cfingerprint\u201d of helium in the halo. The full spectrum shows no evidence of other elements and so suggests that the helium clump must be fairly pristine, made of hydrogen and helium gas left over from the big bang, without much contamination from heavier elements produced by stars. Theory and simulations in the vicinity of particularly massive galaxies from these epochs predict that there should be pockets of pristine gas surviving in the halo, and these may collapse and form Population III star clusters.<\/div>\nNASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIn future Webb observations, Maiolino, \u00dcbler, and their team will <\/em>explore GN-z11 in greater depth, and they hope to strengthen the case for the Population III stars that may be forming in its halo.<\/p>\nThe research on the pristine gas clump in GN-z11\u2019s halo <\/a>has been accepted for publication by Astronomy & Astrophysics<\/em>. The results of the study of GN-z11\u2019s black hole <\/a>were published in the journal Nature<\/em> on January 17, 2024. The data was obtained as part of the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES<\/a>), a joint project between the NIRCam and NIRSpec teams.<\/p>\nThe James Webb Space Telescope is the world\u2019s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.<\/em><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\nDownloads<\/h2>\n
Right click the images in this article to open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window.<\/p>\nDownload full resolution images for this article<\/a><\/strong> from the Space Telescope Science Institute.<\/p>\nRead\/download the research results on the pristine gas clump in GN-z11\u2019a halo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\nRead\/download the research results of the study of GN-z11\u2019s black hole<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\nMedia Contacts<\/h2>\n
Laura\u00a0Betz<\/strong> \u2013 laura.e.betz@nasa.gov<\/a>, Rob Gutro<\/strong> \u2013 rob.gutro@nasa.gov<\/a>
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/p>\nChristine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a>
Space Telescope Science Institute<\/a>, Baltimore, Md.<\/p>\nRelated Information<\/h2>\n
Galaxy Basics<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nGalaxy Evolution<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore Webb News<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/latestnews\/<\/p>\nMore Webb Images<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/multimedia\/images\/<\/p>\nWebb Mission Page<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/<\/p>\n<\/p>\nRelated For Kids<\/h2>\n
What is a <\/a>galaxy<\/a>?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWhat is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nSpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nEn Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n
Ciencia de la NASA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nNASA en espa\u00f1ol\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nSpace Place\u00a0para ni\u00f1os<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nKeep Exploring<\/div>\nRelated Topics<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA, ESA, CSA, Brant Robertson (UC Santa Cruz), Ben Johnson (CfA), Sandro Tacchella (Cambridge), Marcia Rieke (University of Arizona), Daniel Eisenstein (CfA)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
Looking deeply into space and time, two teams using NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope have studied the exceptionally luminous galaxy GN-z11, which existed when our 13.8 billion-year-old universe was only about 430 million years old.<\/p>\n
Initially detected with NASA\u2019s Hubble Space Telescope<\/a>, this galaxy \u2014 one of the youngest and most distant ever observed \u00a0\u2014 is so bright that it is challenging scientists to understand why. Now, GN-z11 is giving up some of its secrets.<\/p>\n A team studying GN-z11 with Webb found the first clear evidence that the galaxy is hosting a central, supermassive black hole that is rapidly accreting matter. Their finding makes this the farthest active supermassive black hole spotted to date.<\/p>\n \u201cWe found extremely dense gas that is common in the vicinity of supermassive black holes accreting gas,\u201d explained principal investigator Roberto Maiolino of the Cavendish Laboratory and the Kavli Institute of Cosmology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. \u201cThese were the first clear signatures that GN-z11 is hosting a black hole that is gobbling matter.\u201d<\/p>\n Using Webb, the team also found indications of ionized chemical elements typically observed near accreting supermassive black holes. Additionally, they discovered a very powerful wind being expelled by the galaxy. Such high-velocity winds are typically driven by processes associated with vigorously accreting supermassive black holes.<\/p>\n \u201cWebb\u2019s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) has revealed an extended component, tracing the host galaxy, and a central, compact source whose colors are consistent with those of an accretion disk surrounding a black hole,\u201d said investigator Hannah \u00dcbler, also of<\/em> the Cavendish Laboratory and the Kavli Institute.<\/p>\n Together, this evidence shows that GN-z11 hosts a 2-million-solar-mass, supermassive black hole in a very active phase of consuming matter, which is why it\u2019s so luminous.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n A second team, also led by Maiolino, used Webb\u2019s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) to find a gaseous clump of helium in the halo surrounding GN-z11.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that we don\u2019t see anything else beyond helium suggests that this clump must be fairly pristine,\u201d said Maiolino. \u201cThis is something that was expected by theory and simulations in the vicinity of particularly massive galaxies from these epochs \u2014 that there should be pockets of pristine gas surviving in the halo, and these may collapse and form Population III star clusters.\u201d<\/p>\n Finding the never-before-seen Population III stars \u2014 the first generation of stars formed almost entirely from hydrogen and helium \u2014 is one of the most important goals of modern astrophysics. These stars are anticipated to be very massive, very luminous, and very hot. Their expected signature is the presence of ionized helium and the absence of chemical elements heavier than helium.<\/p>\n The formation of the first stars and galaxies marks a fundamental shift in cosmic history, during which the universe evolved from a dark and relatively simple state into the highly structured and complex environment we see today.<\/p>\n In future Webb observations, Maiolino, \u00dcbler, and their team will <\/em>explore GN-z11 in greater depth, and they hope to strengthen the case for the Population III stars that may be forming in its halo.<\/p>\n The research on the pristine gas clump in GN-z11\u2019s halo <\/a>has been accepted for publication by Astronomy & Astrophysics<\/em>. The results of the study of GN-z11\u2019s black hole <\/a>were published in the journal Nature<\/em> on January 17, 2024. The data was obtained as part of the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES<\/a>), a joint project between the NIRCam and NIRSpec teams.<\/p>\n The James Webb Space Telescope is the world\u2019s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.<\/em><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Right click the images in this article to open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window.<\/p>\n Download full resolution images for this article<\/a><\/strong> from the Space Telescope Science Institute.<\/p>\n Read\/download the research results on the pristine gas clump in GN-z11\u2019a halo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Read\/download the research results of the study of GN-z11\u2019s black hole<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Laura\u00a0Betz<\/strong> \u2013 laura.e.betz@nasa.gov<\/a>, Rob Gutro<\/strong> \u2013 rob.gutro@nasa.gov<\/a> Christine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a> Galaxy Basics<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Galaxy Evolution<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n More Webb News<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/latestnews\/<\/p>\n More Webb Images<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/multimedia\/images\/<\/p>\n Webb Mission Page<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/<\/p>\n<\/p>\n What is a <\/a>galaxy<\/a>?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n SpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Ciencia de la NASA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n NASA en espa\u00f1ol\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Space Place\u00a0para ni\u00f1os<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nVigorous Black Hole Is Most Distant Ever Found<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Image: GOODS-North field of galaxies<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>Pristine Gas Clump in GN-z11\u2019s Halo Intrigues Researchers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Image: Pristine Gas Clump Near GN-z11<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>Downloads<\/h2>\n
Media Contacts<\/h2>\n
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/p>\n
Space Telescope Science Institute<\/a>, Baltimore, Md.<\/p>\nRelated Information<\/h2>\n
Related For Kids<\/h2>\n
En Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n
Related Topics<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n