\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGalaxies Actively Forming in Early Universe Caught Feeding on Cold Gas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/webb-stsci-01htfz25q530vpxwr5kazckyeh-4k.jpg?w=1536\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThis illustration shows a galaxy forming only a few hundred million years after the big bang.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nResearchers analyzing data from NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope have pinpointed three galaxies that may be actively forming when the universe was only 400 to 600 million years old. Webb\u2019s data shows these galaxies are surrounded by gas that the researchers suspect to be almost purely hydrogen and helium, the earliest elements to exist in the cosmos. Webb\u2019s instruments are so sensitive that they were able to detect an unusual amount of dense gas surrounding these galaxies. This gas will likely end up fueling the formation of new stars in the galaxies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese galaxies are like sparkling islands in a sea of otherwise neutral, opaque gas,\u201d explained Kasper Heintz, the lead author and an assistant professor of astrophysics at the Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN) at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. \u201cWithout Webb, we would not be able to observe these very early galaxies, let alone learn so much about their formation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re moving away from a picture of galaxies as isolated ecosystems. At this stage in the history of the universe, galaxies are all intimately connected to the intergalactic medium with its filaments and structures of pristine gas,\u201d added Simone Nielsen, a co-author and PhD student also based at DAWN.<\/p>\n
Image: Galaxy Forming in the Early Universe (Artist\u2019s Concept)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/webb-stsci-01htfz25q530vpxwr5kazckyeh-4k.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nThis illustration shows a galaxy forming only a few hundred million years after the big bang, when gas was a mix of transparent and opaque during the Era of Reionization. Data from NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope shows that cold gas is falling onto these galaxies.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIn Webb\u2019s images, the galaxies look like faint red smudges, which is why extra data, known as spectra<\/a>, were critical for the team\u2019s conclusions. Those spectra show that light from these galaxies is being absorbed by large amounts of neutral hydrogen gas. \u201cThe gas must be very widespread and cover a very large fraction of the galaxy,\u201d said Darach Watson, a co-author who is a professor at DAWN. \u201cThis suggests that we are seeing the assembly of neutral hydrogen gas into galaxies. That gas will go on to cool, clump, and form new stars.\u201d<\/p>\nThe universe was a very different place several hundred million years after the big bang during a period known as the Era of Reionization<\/a>. Gas between stars and galaxies was largely opaque. Gas throughout the universe only became fully transparent around 1 billion years after the big bang. Galaxies\u2019 stars contributed<\/a> to heating and ionizing the gas around them, causing the gas to eventually become completely transparent.<\/p>\nBy matching Webb\u2019s data to models of star formation, the researchers also found that these galaxies primarily have populations of young stars. \u201cThe fact that we are seeing large gas reservoirs also suggests that the galaxies have not had enough time to form most of their stars yet,\u201d Watson added.<\/p>\n
This is Only the Start<\/h2>\n
Webb is not only meeting the mission goals<\/a> that drove its development and launch \u2013 it is exceeding them. \u201cImages and data of these distant galaxies were impossible to obtain before Webb,\u201d explained Gabriel Brammer, a co-author and associate professor at DAWN. \u201cPlus, we had a good sense of what we were going to find when we first glimpsed the data \u2013 we were almost making discoveries by eye.\u201d<\/p>\nThere remain many more questions to address. Where, specifically, is the gas? How much is located near the centers of the galaxies \u2013 or in their outskirts? Is the gas pristine or already populated by heavier elements? Significant research lies ahead. \u201cThe next step is to build large statistical samples of galaxies and quantify the prevalence and prominence of their features in detail,\u201d Heintz said.<\/p>\n
The researchers\u2019 findings were possible thanks to Webb\u2019s Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey<\/a>, which includes spectra of distant galaxies from the telescope\u2019s NIRSpec<\/a> (Near-Infrared Spectrograph), and was released immediately to support discoveries like this as part of Webb\u2019s Early Release Science (ERS) program<\/a>.<\/p>\nThis work has been published in the May 24, 2024 issue of the journal Science<\/a>.<\/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 CSA (Canadian Space Agency).<\/em><\/p>\nDownloads<\/h2>\n
Right click any image to save it or open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window via the browser\u2019s popup menu.<\/p>\nView\/Download full resolution images for this article<\/a><\/strong> from the Space Telescope Science Institute.<\/p>\nResearch Paper<\/strong>: published in the May 24, 2024 issue of the journal Science<\/a>.<\/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>\nClaire Blome<\/strong>\u00a0cblome@stsci.edu<\/a>, Christine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a>
Space Telescope Science Institute<\/a>, Baltimore, Md.<\/p>\nRelated Information<\/h2>\n
Infographic<\/strong>: Era of Reionization Infographic<\/a><\/p>\nArticle<\/strong>: How Webb Can Study the Early Universe<\/a><\/p>\nVideo<\/strong>: Galaxies through Time<\/a><\/p>\nVideo<\/strong>: Scientists\u2019 Perspective: Science Snippets<\/a><\/p>\nArticle<\/strong>: Galaxy Basics<\/a><\/p>\nArticle<\/strong>: Galaxy Evolution<\/a><\/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>\nRelated For Kids<\/h2>\n
What is a galaxy?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nVIDEO:<\/strong> Reading the Rainbow of Light from an Exoplanet\u2019s Atmosphere<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nWhat is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nSpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nEn Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n
Para Ni\u00f1os<\/strong> : Qu\u00e9 es una galaxia?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nCiencia 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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nResearchers analyzing data from NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope have pinpointed three galaxies that may be actively forming when the universe was only 400 to 600 million years old. Webb\u2019s data shows these galaxies are surrounded by gas that the researchers suspect to be almost purely hydrogen and helium, the earliest elements to exist in the cosmos. Webb\u2019s instruments are so sensitive that they were able to detect an unusual amount of dense gas surrounding these galaxies. This gas will likely end up fueling the formation of new stars in the galaxies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese galaxies are like sparkling islands in a sea of otherwise neutral, opaque gas,\u201d explained Kasper Heintz, the lead author and an assistant professor of astrophysics at the Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN) at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. \u201cWithout Webb, we would not be able to observe these very early galaxies, let alone learn so much about their formation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re moving away from a picture of galaxies as isolated ecosystems. At this stage in the history of the universe, galaxies are all intimately connected to the intergalactic medium with its filaments and structures of pristine gas,\u201d added Simone Nielsen, a co-author and PhD student also based at DAWN.<\/p>\n
Image: Galaxy Forming in the Early Universe (Artist\u2019s Concept)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\nThis illustration shows a galaxy forming only a few hundred million years after the big bang, when gas was a mix of transparent and opaque during the Era of Reionization. Data from NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope shows that cold gas is falling onto these galaxies.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIn Webb\u2019s images, the galaxies look like faint red smudges, which is why extra data, known as spectra<\/a>, were critical for the team\u2019s conclusions. Those spectra show that light from these galaxies is being absorbed by large amounts of neutral hydrogen gas. \u201cThe gas must be very widespread and cover a very large fraction of the galaxy,\u201d said Darach Watson, a co-author who is a professor at DAWN. \u201cThis suggests that we are seeing the assembly of neutral hydrogen gas into galaxies. That gas will go on to cool, clump, and form new stars.\u201d<\/p>\nThe universe was a very different place several hundred million years after the big bang during a period known as the Era of Reionization<\/a>. Gas between stars and galaxies was largely opaque. Gas throughout the universe only became fully transparent around 1 billion years after the big bang. Galaxies\u2019 stars contributed<\/a> to heating and ionizing the gas around them, causing the gas to eventually become completely transparent.<\/p>\nBy matching Webb\u2019s data to models of star formation, the researchers also found that these galaxies primarily have populations of young stars. \u201cThe fact that we are seeing large gas reservoirs also suggests that the galaxies have not had enough time to form most of their stars yet,\u201d Watson added.<\/p>\n
This is Only the Start<\/h2>\n
Webb is not only meeting the mission goals<\/a> that drove its development and launch \u2013 it is exceeding them. \u201cImages and data of these distant galaxies were impossible to obtain before Webb,\u201d explained Gabriel Brammer, a co-author and associate professor at DAWN. \u201cPlus, we had a good sense of what we were going to find when we first glimpsed the data \u2013 we were almost making discoveries by eye.\u201d<\/p>\nThere remain many more questions to address. Where, specifically, is the gas? How much is located near the centers of the galaxies \u2013 or in their outskirts? Is the gas pristine or already populated by heavier elements? Significant research lies ahead. \u201cThe next step is to build large statistical samples of galaxies and quantify the prevalence and prominence of their features in detail,\u201d Heintz said.<\/p>\n
The researchers\u2019 findings were possible thanks to Webb\u2019s Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey<\/a>, which includes spectra of distant galaxies from the telescope\u2019s NIRSpec<\/a> (Near-Infrared Spectrograph), and was released immediately to support discoveries like this as part of Webb\u2019s Early Release Science (ERS) program<\/a>.<\/p>\nThis work has been published in the May 24, 2024 issue of the journal Science<\/a>.<\/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 CSA (Canadian Space Agency).<\/em><\/p>\nDownloads<\/h2>\n
Right click any image to save it or open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window via the browser\u2019s popup menu.<\/p>\nView\/Download full resolution images for this article<\/a><\/strong> from the Space Telescope Science Institute.<\/p>\nResearch Paper<\/strong>: published in the May 24, 2024 issue of the journal Science<\/a>.<\/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>\nClaire Blome<\/strong>\u00a0cblome@stsci.edu<\/a>, Christine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a>
Space Telescope Science Institute<\/a>, Baltimore, Md.<\/p>\nRelated Information<\/h2>\n
Infographic<\/strong>: Era of Reionization Infographic<\/a><\/p>\nArticle<\/strong>: How Webb Can Study the Early Universe<\/a><\/p>\nVideo<\/strong>: Galaxies through Time<\/a><\/p>\nVideo<\/strong>: Scientists\u2019 Perspective: Science Snippets<\/a><\/p>\nArticle<\/strong>: Galaxy Basics<\/a><\/p>\nArticle<\/strong>: Galaxy Evolution<\/a><\/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>\nRelated For Kids<\/h2>\n
What is a galaxy?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nVIDEO:<\/strong> Reading the Rainbow of Light from an Exoplanet\u2019s Atmosphere<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nWhat is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nSpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nEn Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n
Para Ni\u00f1os<\/strong> : Qu\u00e9 es una galaxia?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nCiencia 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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n
![\"This](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/webb-stsci-01htfz25q530vpxwr5kazckyeh-4k.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>In Webb\u2019s images, the galaxies look like faint red smudges, which is why extra data, known as spectra<\/a>, were critical for the team\u2019s conclusions. Those spectra show that light from these galaxies is being absorbed by large amounts of neutral hydrogen gas. \u201cThe gas must be very widespread and cover a very large fraction of the galaxy,\u201d said Darach Watson, a co-author who is a professor at DAWN. \u201cThis suggests that we are seeing the assembly of neutral hydrogen gas into galaxies. That gas will go on to cool, clump, and form new stars.\u201d<\/p>\n The universe was a very different place several hundred million years after the big bang during a period known as the Era of Reionization<\/a>. Gas between stars and galaxies was largely opaque. Gas throughout the universe only became fully transparent around 1 billion years after the big bang. Galaxies\u2019 stars contributed<\/a> to heating and ionizing the gas around them, causing the gas to eventually become completely transparent.<\/p>\n By matching Webb\u2019s data to models of star formation, the researchers also found that these galaxies primarily have populations of young stars. \u201cThe fact that we are seeing large gas reservoirs also suggests that the galaxies have not had enough time to form most of their stars yet,\u201d Watson added.<\/p>\n Webb is not only meeting the mission goals<\/a> that drove its development and launch \u2013 it is exceeding them. \u201cImages and data of these distant galaxies were impossible to obtain before Webb,\u201d explained Gabriel Brammer, a co-author and associate professor at DAWN. \u201cPlus, we had a good sense of what we were going to find when we first glimpsed the data \u2013 we were almost making discoveries by eye.\u201d<\/p>\n There remain many more questions to address. Where, specifically, is the gas? How much is located near the centers of the galaxies \u2013 or in their outskirts? Is the gas pristine or already populated by heavier elements? Significant research lies ahead. \u201cThe next step is to build large statistical samples of galaxies and quantify the prevalence and prominence of their features in detail,\u201d Heintz said.<\/p>\n The researchers\u2019 findings were possible thanks to Webb\u2019s Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey<\/a>, which includes spectra of distant galaxies from the telescope\u2019s NIRSpec<\/a> (Near-Infrared Spectrograph), and was released immediately to support discoveries like this as part of Webb\u2019s Early Release Science (ERS) program<\/a>.<\/p>\n This work has been published in the May 24, 2024 issue of the journal Science<\/a>.<\/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 CSA (Canadian Space Agency).<\/em><\/p>\n Right click any image to save it or open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window via the browser\u2019s popup menu.<\/p>\n View\/Download full resolution images for this article<\/a><\/strong> from the Space Telescope Science Institute.<\/p>\n Research Paper<\/strong>: published in the May 24, 2024 issue of the journal Science<\/a>.<\/p>\n Laura\u00a0Betz<\/strong> \u2013 laura.e.betz@nasa.gov<\/a>, Rob Gutro<\/strong> \u2013 rob.gutro@nasa.gov<\/a> Claire Blome<\/strong>\u00a0cblome@stsci.edu<\/a>, Christine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a> Infographic<\/strong>: Era of Reionization Infographic<\/a><\/p>\n Article<\/strong>: How Webb Can Study the Early Universe<\/a><\/p>\n Video<\/strong>: Galaxies through Time<\/a><\/p>\n Video<\/strong>: Scientists\u2019 Perspective: Science Snippets<\/a><\/p>\n Article<\/strong>: Galaxy Basics<\/a><\/p>\n Article<\/strong>: Galaxy Evolution<\/a><\/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 What is a galaxy?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n VIDEO:<\/strong> Reading the Rainbow of Light from an Exoplanet\u2019s Atmosphere<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n What is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n SpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Para Ni\u00f1os<\/strong> : Qu\u00e9 es una galaxia?<\/a><\/strong><\/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>\nThis is Only the Start<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n